In the world of comedy, few shows blend heartfelt storytelling, sharp wit, and a greater purpose quite like Bed 32. Created by a trainee doctor who has spent much of his life in and around hospitals, this fast-paced mix of stand-up, improv, and musical comedy offers audiences a rare glimpse into the highs and lows of life within the NHS. But beyond the laughs and songs lies an inspiring story of resilience, hope, and giving back.
A Journey of Healing and Laughter
The origins of Bed 32 are deeply tied to Bristol Children’s Hospital, where Michael McKenzie spent much of his childhood as a patient. “I went into hospital when I was three and came out when I was 16,” he recalls. “Most of that time was in Bristol Children’s Hospital.” Those years were filled with challenges, but also unwavering support from The Grand Appeal charity, which provided life-changing treatment and helped him transition beyond hospital life.
Now, through Bed 32, Michael is giving back. All profits from the show are donated to The Grand Appeal, ensuring other children receive the same transformative care. “I want to help them continue saving and improving the lives of children from all over the world,” he says.
Turning Hospital Life Into Comedy Gold
The humour in Bed 32 is as sharp as it is personal. Drawing from his experiences as both a one-legged NHS trainee doctor and a former patient, Michael’s comedy is a unique blend of absurdity and dark humour. One standout story involves a wrestling tournament for amputee children, aptly named “partial arts.” Another recalls the time he explained knee surgery to a patient—while hopping on one leg, leaving them both confused and amused.
But the show isn’t just about Michael’s past. Each performance is interactive, incorporating improv elements that make every night unique. The grand finale is a crowd favourite, where the audience suggests themes for a completely improvised comedy song. “If I succeed, I donate five pounds to charity. If I fail, I donate twenty,” he explains. With over 200 songs performed, only three audiences have ever managed to stump him. “Bring it on, Leicester!” he challenges with a grin.
A Celebration of the NHS
At its core, Bed 32 is a love letter to the NHS. The show resonates with anyone who has ever been touched by the healthcare system, directly or indirectly. “I hope it inspires people who feel like the odds are stacked against them,” Michael says. “When I was in hospital, I used to watch people through the window and wonder if they felt the same way I did.”
The show also explores deeper themes like disability, homelessness, and artificial intelligence—all wrapped in a layer of sharp, thought-provoking comedy. “There’s definitely an irony to being a one-legged doctor and stand-up comedian,” he admits, but it’s exactly this unique perspective that makes the show so compelling.
Breaking Barriers with Laughter
One of the show’s missions is to break down the stigma surrounding disabilities. “Talk about it, joke about it, and laugh about it,” Michael encourages. By sharing his experiences with candour and humour, he hopes to foster greater understanding. “The barriers we create around discussing disability affect self-image in ways people don’t realise. Let’s break them down together.”
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Bed 32
More than just a comedy show, Bed 32 is an experience—a blend of laughter, music, and heart. With award-nominated musical comedy, surprise guest performances, and the chance to challenge Michael’s improv skills, audiences are in for a night like no other.
“Asking a one-legged man at a keyboard to turn your craziest words into a song—all while raising money for hospitalised children—what’s not to love?” he jokes. And for those who prefer to stay out of the spotlight, the show even allows for anonymous participation through an online poll projected onstage. Hecklers, rejoice!
A Final Dose of Laughter
Before wrapping up, Michael leaves us with one of his favourite NHS anecdotes:
“Doctors have been warned not to abbreviate their professions. GPs can’t shorten ‘physician’ to ‘physo,’ obstetricians can no longer call themselves ‘obstos’… This has always been the case for paediatricians.”
For anyone seeking a night of laughter, inspiration, and a chance to support a worthy cause, Bed 32 is a must-see.
Check out the full interview below to learn more about this extraordinary show and Michael McKenzie.
Michael McKenzie Full Interview:
Can you tell us about your show, Bed 32? What inspired it, and how did it all come together?
The show is a fast-paced mix of stand-up, improv and musical comedy that centres around the NHS. I’ve spent my whole life in hospital as a patient, carer and now as a trainee doctor.
Profits from the show go towards Bristol Children’s Hospital, where you grew up. Can you share more about your time there and why it holds such a special place in your heart?
I went into hospital when I was 3 and came out when I was 16, most of that time was in Bristol Children’s Hospital.
The Grand Appeal charity for Bristol Children’s Hospital that we are raising money for helped me get life-changing treatment as well as adapt to the real world after leaving the hospital. No other charity does this to that extent and so I’m incredibly lucky. I’d love to give back now and help them continue to save and improve the lives of children from all over the world.
How long have you wanted to run this show? How have you managed to balance creating it while studying to become a doctor?
Since I was Bed 32, I’ve planned this: one of the songs is performed by my 5-year-old self so was almost 20 years in the making. I wouldn’t have been able to balance the show and studies if I wasn’t so very lucky to have the help of my Director and crew, all of whom also grew up in Bristol Children’s Hospital and want to give back.
Michael McKenzie | Bed 32
When people watch the show, what do you hope they’ll feel, or what lasting impression do you want them to have?
I hope it resonates with the part of their lives where they have been helped by our NHS. I think we have all had it help us directly or indirectly. I was worried people would struggle to relate to me, someone who grew up as a number for a bed, but now I realise that the people I used to watch from my hospital window feel the same as I did at times. I hope it inspires people who feel the odds are stacked against them in this way.
You’ve already gained recognition from BBC and ITV. What are your ultimate goals for the show and your career in comedy?
The show discusses disability, the NHS, artificial intelligence, homelessness.
I want to explore interesting topics like these through comedy.
I also want to raise as much money for whoever is in bed number 32 now.
How would you describe the humour and sarcasm in Bed 32? Are there specific stories from your hospital experiences that have shaped the material?
There is definitely an irony to a disabled doctor and one-legged stand-up. The stories I have from working in the NHS are all real and yet border on absurdism, as any healthcare worker knows it can! A lot of the comedy from my hospital life is dark humour. One story I tell is that of the wrestling tournament us amputee children organised called ‘partial arts’! This is far from the wildest example…
You’re known for telling wild stories about being a one-legged NHS trainee doctor. Can you share one of your favourites?
I sometimes take my leg off if I have a long day at work and was once tasked with briefing a patient about their upcoming knee surgery… when I hopped in telling him we’ll ‘get him walking again soon’ he was terrified!
In your opinion, how can we reduce stigma associated with disabilities?
Talk about it, joke about it and laugh about it! People with disabilities, especially those born with them, often feel like we can’t talk to you symmetricals about disability without making you feel awkward. We owe a lot to you in how much you’ve made our lives liveable but this last communication barrier creates a lot of issues for our self-image. Let’s beat it together.
Your show includes music performances and special guests. Can you give us a sneak peek of what audiences can expect?
We have 3 award-nominated musical comedy songs that were hand-picked by the Musical Comedy Awards. One is about AI, the other is about the NHS and the finale is completely improvisational. This last song is my favourite to perform as it’s me vs the audience: they say any theme at all and I must make a comedy song out of it, if I can they give a fiver to the charity but if I can’t I give twenty pounds. We’ve done 200 songs so far and I’m quite proud the crowd have only beat me 3 times. Bring it on Leicester!
Explain in one sentence why someone should buy tickets for the gig?
To shout the craziest words at a one-legged man playing the keyboard whilst he tries to make a song out of it to raise money for hospitalised children.
How do you deal with hecklers?
We actively encourage it! It’s a core part of our show! If you’re shy we have an online poll open at all times that projects on the screen behind me if you want to join in anonymously.
Finally, can you leave us with a funny story to brighten the day?
Doctors have been told not to shorten their professions by the NHS. GPs can’t shorten ‘physician’ to ‘physo’ and obstetricians can no longer call themselves ‘obstos’… This has always been the case for Paediatricians…