25 July 2008A health extravaganza next month will attempt to explore the reason why 3.5million men in the UK are risking a long-term medical condition through fear of going to the doctor.
An award winning comedian will be joined by a plethora of health professionals and organisations offering men’s free health MOTs when the special event comes to the STAG Theatre in Sevenoaks on Saturday 14 June.
The main feature of the night will be a stand up act by the comedian John Ryan. His warts-and-all ‘Hurt Until It Laughs’ show looks at what makes men tick when it comes to uncomfortable health matters and asks the question ‘Why do man hate going to the doctor?’.
Before the show and during the interval health professionals will be available offering the men’s free health MOTs, including cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose checks.
Various organisations will also be attending on the night to promote men’s health issues, including Kenward Trust (alcohol/substance misuse), Sevenoaks MIND (emotional health), Sencio (physical activity), Get Sorted Team (healthy eating/lifestyle changes), West Kent Primary Care Trust (men's cancer and Stop Smoking Service).
Tickets are now on sale for the event, which starts at 7.30pm, with the bar opening at 6.30pm. Tickets cost £7.50 and can be booked by calling the STAG on 01732 450175.
The comedy show is produced by Leicester Comedy Festival, the longest running comedy festival in the UK, and has toured the UK visiting comedy festivals, workplaces, health conferences and comedy clubs.
The show is being run as part of National Men’s Health Week, which runs from 9 to 15 June. This year’s theme is ‘Men and the Workplace’.
Cllr Felicity Broomby, Sevenoaks District Council Cabinet member with responsibility for health issues, says: "Many men still find it hard to ask for help from a doctor and this whole evening is geared around exploring why that is the case in a light hearted manner. John's stand-up show has a great reputation across the UK, and with a range of health experts on hand to check out how healthy you are this promises to be a really entertaining and informing evening, so make sure you get your ticket!"
John Ryan adds: “I’m really looking forward to visiting Sevenoaks and giving the local men a wake up call in terms of their health. Since doing this comedy show across the UK I know that while most women talk frankly about sensitive health matters, there is a common tendency amongst men to sit back and silently hope that ignoring a symptom will make it go away. The show is very funny so don’t think you’re going to come to a lecture or anything; it’ll be entertaining and I promise a great night out!”
The event is as part of the Sevenoaks District Healthy Lifestyles Project, organised by Sevenoaks District Council in partnership with Kino Sevenoaks and jointly funded by West Kent PCT as part of the 'Choosing Health' Agenda to make healthier choices easier.
Notes for editors
John Ryan is quite partial to the odd fry up and doesn’t claim to be the model of male fitness. But nevertheless, the endearing performer has been busy posing the question ‘Why do men hate going to the doctor?’. As part of the research for the show, John led a series of heated discussions with men of all shapes and sizes. Regardless of age, ethnicity, income, sexual orientation or preferred brand of aftershave it seems that most men would rather rely on unqualified advice from friends and family, than seek professional help from their GP. Not terrific news for the male population of the UK and beyond, or GPs for that matter.
Since over 200 people enjoyed the premiere of the 'Hurt Until It Laughs' stand up comedy show at Phoenix Arts on the opening night of the Leicester Comedy Festival in 2004, John Ryan’s set has been snapped up by a range of organisations, including community centres, workplaces and health conferences, reaching thousands of people. Recent performances have taken place at regional health conferences as well as UNISON Healthcare’s national conference in Gateshead.
