Review: EVERYTHING IS ABSOLUTELY FINE, House of Blakewell (Livestream)

At the tail end of Mental Health Awareness Week comes a fantastic short musical, Everything is Absolutely Fine. A perfectly curated fusion of lighthearted comedy and a hard hitting tale of mental health is brought to streamed audiences by House of Blakewell in just 60 minutes.

Everything is Absolutely Fine is a new comedy musical that takes on the subject of anxiety disorders, caring and trying to keep going when it feels almost impossible. Integrated into the show are power ballads, show tunes and body percussion, and House of Blakewell have done a tremendous job at exploring what it’s like to experience mental health problems on a daily basis. 

At the centre of the story is Alice. Alice is making a new start. Things are going to be different for her. She has moved out of the big city to a small town, doing the job she loves as an Occupational Therapist. She is going to be a new person here; cool, calm and free. The kind of person who goes running everyday and can go to a cafe and sit on their own. She is going to make a difference, meet new people and become a new woman…BUT her old friend Anxiety has other ideas.. 

House of Blakewell have integrated some great humour into the show, particularly through the musical numbers. It is delivered in an intimate space with two performers, a keyboard and a remarkable story. 

Performing this musical is Alice Keedwell, with Harry Blake taking the helm when it comes to the music. Whilst Alice undergoes her journey, Blake takes on the role of Anxiety and the narrative is all too familiar for those who suffer with anxiety themselves. Their constant clashing with one another is portrayed superbly and so much of the story is packed into the hour-long duration. It really unearths a lot of emotion, whilst also ensuring the audience understands there's a light at the end of the tunnel. They also flash up headlines onto the screen so the audience is able to understand specific parts of Alice’s story, the pace of this musical definitely needed it.

Everything is Absolutely Fine gives a wonderful message for those suffering from mental health to “take things day by day”, as well as hope to make it through to the other side of a difficult time. 

The musical was developed with The Lowry and supported by The Cameron Grant Memorial Trust and The Peggy Ramsay Foundation. 

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Emmie Newitt