15.76°C Review by Paul T. Davies
Open Your Heart, Open Road 2026, in conversation with John Robins, took place at Colchester Arts Centre in Colchester.
Open Road is a charity, with one branch based in Colchester, that supplies support to anyone affected by drug and alcohol addiction. This fundraising event was titled Open Your Heart, but it is equally important to open our minds, as there is still much stigma and shame surrounding addiction and attitudes towards it.
A coup to get comedian John Robins to talk about his experiences, documented in his upcoming biography Thirst: Twelve Drinks That Changed My Life. No safe, cuddly celebrity memoir this, his stories and self-reflection are brutally honest, shocking and funny in equal measure. Organised and hosted superbly by Tim Young, it may sound strange to say, given the subject matter, that this was a truly uplifting experience.
First, the outstanding support act and local (surely on the verge of national) legend, Fraser Morgan. He has always been open about his mental health struggles, and his songs and lyrics are steeped in lived experience. There are the chirpy, light songs like The Girl In The Library, punctuated by charming and hilarious self-deprecation. Fast becoming his anthem, Call Me Mate will make you hug your male friends, a moving, powerful and devastating song about loss. Fraser is a force to be reckoned with, and if you have not heard his songs or seen him live, rectify that as soon as you can.
John Robins was equally open, and the questions skilfully led him to recount episodes from his childhood and life. There was a sense that much of what he was saying connected with much of the audience, especially, for me, complicated relationships with fathers. The Q&A section presented some excellent audience questions, and throughout, the answers were honest, self-reflective, and often very funny. If you want to hear a different kind of showbiz gossip, especially if you are a fan of House of Games, then this will be a must-read. His story is inspiring and humane.
Excellent music and conversation, it was like kicking back with a load of friends and enjoying each other’s company. It is a tribute to our wonderful Colchester Arts Centre that this felt such a warm, intimate evening. Huge congratulations to everyone involved.
For more information about Open Road and to make a donation, visit Home – Open Road Visions
