An American musical about mental health takes off in China

“VALIUM IS MY favourite colour,” proclaims Diana, the protagonist of “Next to Normal”, an American rock musical. She suffers from delusions associated with bipolar disorder and has visions of her son, who died as an infant, as a teenager. Dan, Diana’s devoted but desperate husband, and Natalie, their overachieving but often neglected daughter, struggle to support her through grief, depression and a suicide attempt. There are endless appointments with doctors who are quick to pump her full of medications and electro-convulsive therapy with little regard for the physical or emotional side-effects.