🎭 Laughter Lives – Where Comedy Met Compassion

In November 2024, we hosted Laughter Lives at the University of Glasgow Student Union—a sold-out night where comedy collided with care, community, and the kind of conversations that don’t usually happen on stage.

Curated and headlined by me Buckaroo Bon-Si (aka Dr Simon Walker), the evening featured a phenomenal lineup of local comedians, blending absurdity, dark wit, and unfiltered honesty. From surreal punchlines to academic chaos, the crowd laughed hard—and left thinking even harder.

🎤 What Made This Night Special

• A Stage for Local Talent
  We spotlighted rising and experienced comedians from Glasgow and beyond—authentic, sharp, and wildly funny. This wasn’t just about laughs; it was about platforming new voices and building a community around them in keeping with the values of the University of Glasgow’s Byres Hub public engagement iniative.

• Mid-Show Panel: Mental Health Takes the Mic
  At the heart of the evening was a powerful panel discussion, featuring:
  • • PAPYRUS – leading the charge on youth suicide prevention
  • • Andy’s Man Club – championing peer support for men
  • • Haylis Smith, National Delivery Lead for Suicide Prevention Scotland – bringing strategic insight and raw clarity about suicide prevention policy in action
• The panel offered not just information but solidarity—and reminded the audience that humour and vulnerability can, and must, coexist.

💬 What People Said

“Funniest night I’ve had all year—and the real talk in the middle hit harder than I expected.”
“That panel was exactly what we need more of. Honest, compassionate, not sugar-coated.”
“Buckaroo Bon-Si is like if Jon Richardson had a PhD and even more unresolved trauma.”

❤️ Why It Mattered

Laughter Lives was more than an event—it was a statement:

• That mental health deserves the mic.
• That local comedy deserves the spotlight.
• And that people want to laugh and learn—on the same night, in the same room.

We’re now building on this momentum with follow-up sessions, student-led support ideas, and future comedy nights that don’t shy away from the real stuff.

📸 Watch This Space

• Video recap and photos coming soon
• Want to collaborate, sponsor, or perform next time? Get in touch
• Follow @buckaroobonsi on TikTok/YouTube for future show clips and event updates

Laughter Lives—because comedy can start the conversation, but it’s community that keeps it going.