Review of Jonny & The Baptists: The Happiness Index

Birdy high-tailed it down to the Traverse Theatre to watch The Happiness Index from Jonny & The Baptists – a first time seeing this lovely double act live.

When I was first offered a press comp for The Happiness Index, I read a little bit about the show and decided it was absolutely for me. I’d heard of the double act with the confusing name – Jonny & The Baptists – before, but never had the pleasure of seeing them live. Until now!

Jonny and the Baptists are made up of Jonny Donahoe (Jonny) and Paddy Gervers (the Baptists). Apparently that’s a name that Jonny had came up with when he’d envisioned more people in the group, and then it just stuck.

Vibe

When you first arrive at your seat, there’s some lovely blue lighting, a couple of seats and mics, a table with water, and an arrangement of fake plants and stones that spell out ‘HELP’ and a little stuffed pig in the middle. It sets the tone somewhat.

Then Jonny and Paddy come on stage, and they’re in their Yaks, as the youths say. I appreciate a pair of Yaks as much as the next person, and these ones are colourful, so bonus points.

With strong themes of mental health, politics and highly relatable struggles (including grief and loss), the vibe is a bit up-and-downy (much like many of us are in 2025), as the pair explain at the start that when the vibe starts to get a bit low, they’ll bring it up again with some silliness.

The show itself

We learn quite a bit about Jonny and Paddy, including the name behind the show, The Happiness Index; it’s essentially based on the letter from David Cameron that Paddy received on his 18th birthday, containing five questions to gauge his happiness to enter into… you’ve guessed it, the ‘Happiness Index’.

We determine both Jonny and Paddy are ‘neuro-delightful’ through the medium of song, dance and stories – and we’re also treated to an introduction about many of the antidepressants Paddy’s been on over the past 10 years or so.

There’s a run-through of all the recent Tories prime ministers from Cameron onwards. I was also very amused by the story of Nigel Farage complaining about being “mocked by people who are taking money from the Arts Council” only to highlight to Jonny and Paddy that, actually, they might be eligible for such a thing. It’s now funded many shows for them! Thanks, Nigel.

With a few Shakespeare references (the show is actually The Tempest because funding) the musical comedy duo have a knack for switching it up and moving onto the next song or story which’ll have you laughing out loud (which I appreciated), before bringing you back down to Earth again with some more realism. There’s some very silly fake brand jingles in there, about things like discounted Subarus.

There is a point where grief and loss somehow feels a bit heavy, despite the fact it includes Jonny standing on a chair in a dress he claims is Paddy’s mother’s. I could feel myself getting emotional in what is really quite a moving moment where Jonny tells Paddy what I imagine anyone who’s ever lost a parent would want to hear.

Also, they have merch and they’re not afraid to tell you about it, so that’s good if you like that sort of thing.

Overall

Having had very little idea of what to expect, I really enjoyed The Happiness Index, and would definitely go along to see Jonny & The Baptists again. Maybe they’ll be back at the Fringe.

Sadly, although we were promised five pig jokes, I only noticed two. Maybe I just got distracted by my undiagnosed neuro-delightful ADHD (EDIT: I definitely got distracted by my undiagnosed neuro-delightful ADHD! I’ve been put right in the comments, so Jonny & the Baptists did NOT skimp on the pig jokes!). Either way, this little dude on the stage made up for it!

Whether you’re neuro-mundane or neuro-delightful, there’s something in The Happiness Index you’ll be able to relate to. Jonny and Paddy have great stage chemistry, and the patter between them is so natural that it feels like much of it is on the fly and you can’t help but laugh along with them. You’re just there for the ride, and appreciating every second.

If you get the chance to check out The Happiness Index from this musical comedy duo, I recommend you do.