jonno

Multi-Talented Katz a Wizard of Awes
Edmonton Journal, August 21st, 2003

We have to travel Down Under this year to discover the most manic, bent and thoroughly winged-out production at the Fringe and also one of the funniest.
The trip is well worth it, as Melbourne's Jonno Katz coaxes Kiwi Phil McIntyre, a "world-renowned theatre practitioner" out of an early retirement to relate the story of New Zealand manicurist Emily Winkins, apparently adapted from her autobiography Tantalizing Confusion.
We've never seen anyone quite like Flying Phil, who has turned the singlet into a singular art formas he assumes the role of Emily and probably countless others. It goes so fast, so sharp you hardly know what's happening with the spirit guide and the ultimate kinked creation myth. The effect is something along the lines of listening to Split-Enz's vintage Time + Tide albumn played backwards, on mushrooms.
Whatever it is, it is very funny and inventive, a fact not lost on the packed house, which laughed louder and with more frequency than any show I've seen this year. Full marks for reminding us of the timeless artistry of Air Supply.

- Alan Kellog

SEE Magazine, August 18th, 2003

A nonsensical and super-hilarious journey through what it all means, told through all the disastrous wrong doings of theatre - lights coming up too quickly, sound bites blaring out of place, that misplaced slide of your friends holidaying winding up in your projection sequence. A little too much like life if you ask me. The best "worst" show you'll ever see.

- Mike Thompson

Shades of Monty Python
Edmonton Sun, August 16th, 2003

To tell the truth, I'm not quite sure what I saw. A wild Kiwi named Jonno Katz barrelled about a stage like a loose cannon for an hour, spinning an absurdist shaggy dog story that sometimes hung together.
And some times didn't.
At times he is quick and imaginative, instantly working audiences reactions into his story, and at others he is so out there you wish he'd just get on with it. At any rate, Katz seems to be having a grand old time on stage, maniacally giving the impression that he is making it up as he goes along.
The frenetic performerhas enough energy for an entire company of players and it's a good thing because he is an entire company of players. And a herd of sheep. And God.
He is also given to mumbling and since his accent is as thick as a New Zealand sheep stew, some juicy bits get lost. He certainly delivered on the sex, violence and the meaning-of-life stuff - but what did it all mean?
You knew you were in a strange and different land when the dude with the speech impediment was leaping around on one foot (because the other had been dismembered by the heart extraction machine) and talking to his hand. The hand talked back and made perfect sense, which is good because the other hand was holding a dismembered, but still beating, heart.
Are you following any of this?
Katz's story has Emily Winkins, a New Zealand manicurist, escaping from a sinking boat with a herd of sheep and making her way to Hollywood where she fulfils God's plan. Apparently She (God, that is) is highly unhappy with what has happenedto Her lovely planetand wants to start all over, and so it's up to the unknowing Emily to come up with a whole new plan for repopulating the Earth. To advance his convoluted tale, Katz uses fire pots, slide shows and a felt board.
There - does that make it any simpler? No, I didn't think so, but the ghost of Monty Python hovers over this erratically comic show.
And I think it's smiling.

- Maclean

CBC AUDIENCE REVIEWS

- This show is hiliarious. I laughed so hard all the way through, even though I have no idea what it was about. The one-man show is acted out by a kiwi actor who obviously has a damn good sense of humour and one hell of an imagination. From slide shows to chartboards to fudge-e-o cookies, he uses simple props to tell a not-so-simple story. If you're looking to get something out of it, don't; It'll ruin the whole experience. Just take what you see at face value and it'll be a far more enjoyable experience. This is nonsense at its finest.

- Fantastic. Exciting One Man Tour de force. Amazing timing. physical comedy & free cookies!
Enjoy
Don't miss this show!

- Insane. I mean certifiable. Amazing show - but the show isn't really the point. Jonno Katz is such a charismatic, friendly, actor, that he could eat cookies and it would be entertaining. Which, come to think of it, it was.

- Amazingly funny although not all that sensecal in plot. Perhaps the most amazing one man sex scene ever!! Clever twist, and great actor, not to mention you even get cookies.

- Priceless. Pointless, but priceless. You will leave not having learned a thing. However, you do get a cookie, which is a nice touch. This guy is probably the funniest NZ export ever!
GO SEE IT

Edmonton Fringe Festival
Multi-Talented Katz a Wizard of Awes Edmonton Journal, August 21st, 2003 We have to travel Down Under this year to discover the most manic, bent and thoroughly winged-out production at the Fringe and also one of the funniest. The trip is well worth it, as Melbourne's Jonno Katz coaxes Kiwi Phil McIntyre, a "world-renowned theatre practitioner" out of an early retirement to relate the story of New Zealand manicurist Emily Winkins, apparently adapted from her autobiography Tantalizing Confusion. We've never seen anyone quite like Flying Phil, who has turned the singlet into a singular art formas he assumes the role of Emily and probably countless others. It goes so fast, so sharp you hardly know what's happening with the spirit guide and the ultimate kinked creation myth. The effect is something along the lines of listening to Split-Enz's vintage Time + Tide albumn played backwards, on mushrooms. Whatever it is, it is very funny and inventive, a fact not lost on the packed house, which laughed louder and with more frequency than any show I've seen this year. Full marks for reminding us of the timeless artistry of Air Supply. - Alan Kellog SEE Magazine, August 18th, 2003 A nonsensical and super-hilarious journey through what it all means, told through all the disastrous wrong doings of theatre - lights coming up too quickly, sound bites blaring out of place, that misplaced slide of your friends holidaying winding up in your projection sequence. A little too much like life if you ask me. The best "worst" show you'll ever see. - Mike Thompson Shades of Monty Python Edmonton Sun, August 16th, 2003 To tell the truth, I'm not quite sure what I saw. A wild Kiwi named Jonno Katz barrelled about a stage like a loose cannon for an hour, spinning an absurdist shaggy dog story that sometimes hung together. And some times didn't. At times he is quick and imaginative, instantly working audiences reactions into his story, and at others he is so out there you wish he'd just get on with it. At any rate, Katz seems to be having a grand old time on stage, maniacally giving the impression that he is making it up as he goes along. The frenetic performerhas enough energy for an entire company of players and it's a good thing because he is an entire company of players. And a herd of sheep. And God. He is also given to mumbling and since his accent is as thick as a New Zealand sheep stew, some juicy bits get lost. He certainly delivered on the sex, violence and the meaning-of-life stuff - but what did it all mean? You knew you were in a strange and different land when the dude with the speech impediment was leaping around on one foot (because the other had been dismembered by the heart extraction machine) and talking to his hand. The hand talked back and made perfect sense, which is good because the other hand was holding a dismembered, but still beating, heart. Are you following any of this? Katz's story has Emily Winkins, a New Zealand manicurist, escaping from a sinking boat with a herd of sheep and making her way to Hollywood where she fulfils God's plan. Apparently She (God, that is) is highly unhappy with what has happenedto Her lovely planetand wants to start all over, and so it's up to the unknowing Emily to come up with a whole new plan for repopulating the Earth. To advance his convoluted tale, Katz uses fire pots, slide shows and a felt board. There - does that make it any simpler? No, I didn't think so, but the ghost of Monty Python hovers over this erratically comic show. And I think it's smiling. - Maclean CBC AUDIENCE REVIEWS - This show is hiliarious. I laughed so hard all the way through, even though I have no idea what it was about. The one-man show is acted out by a kiwi actor who obviously has a damn good sense of humour and one hell of an imagination. From slide shows to chartboards to fudge-e-o cookies, he uses simple props to tell a not-so-simple story. If you're looking to get something out of it, don't; It'll ruin the whole experience. Just take what you see at face value and it'll be a far more enjoyable experience. This is nonsense at its finest. - Fantastic. Exciting One Man Tour de force. Amazing timing. physical comedy & free cookies! Enjoy Don't miss this show! - Insane. I mean certifiable. Amazing show - but the show isn't really the point. Jonno Katz is such a charismatic, friendly, actor, that he could eat cookies and it would be entertaining. Which, come to think of it, it was. - Amazingly funny although not all that sensecal in plot. Perhaps the most amazing one man sex scene ever!! Clever twist, and great actor, not to mention you even get cookies. - Priceless. Pointless, but priceless. You will leave not having learned a thing. However, you do get a cookie, which is a nice touch. This guy is probably the funniest NZ export ever! GO SEE IT