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Jordan Stephens against a grey wall wearing a grey jacket and black baseball cap
View all events for category: Literature & poetry

Jordan Stephens: Avoidance, Drugs, Heartbreak and Dogs

Wed 23 Oct 2024, 7.45pm

The writer and performer introduces his candid, moving memoir, exploring masculinity, mental health, addiction and heartbreak, in conversation with Fern Brady.

Diagnosed twice with ADHD, Jordan Stephens found his teens and 20s a whirl of career success and nurturing friendships, but also a brutal pattern of self-harm, hedonism, destructive coping mechanisms and heartbreak.

Unsparingly digging into the fear, tenderness and trauma he carried in his body and mind, and the confusing assumptions of what a young man should be, Stephens discovers what it means to be a modern man, why we should all open ourselves up to life, and how the price we pay for love in all its forms is worth it.

Jordan Stephens is a writer and performer, best known as one half of the chart-topping duo Rizzle Kicks, who sold over 600,000 copies of their debut album Stereo Typical in the UK.

Having been publicly open with his own struggles surrounding mental health, Stephens has been very active in creating awareness around the stigma. His mental health campaign #IAMWHOLE reached over 120 million people online and was mentioned in the Houses of Parliament. His children’s book The Missing Piece was recently shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Prize.

Chair Fern Brady is a woman. She is also autistic. She was born in Scotland (no, not Glasgow). She has no presets for being a ‘good woman’ – she never hated her body or indulged in messy millennial shame. She now lives out of wedlock in London. She has zero children. Brady’s caustic wit, exceptional writing and electric stagecraft have made her one of the UK’s hottest comedy stars, with appearances on Live at the Apollo and BBC Life Lessons. She can currently be seen on Taskmaster on Channel 4.

Need to know

Age guidance
For ages 16+

Times & tickets

Dates, times and prices

Dates & times

23 Oct 2024, 7.45pm

Run time

1 hour and 15 minutes (approx)

All timings are approximate and subject to change

Standard entry

from £15.00*

* Excludes £3.50 booking fee.

Book as early as you can to ensure the best choice of tickets. Ticket prices may be adjusted without notice to reflect demand.

Concessions

25%

Limited availability

About concessions

For your visit

This event is held at the Purcell Room Southbank Centre

The Purcell Room is located in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, which is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.