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* Nominated: Best Male Performer at 2007 Brighton Fringe Festival
* "What a tour de force. You took us on such a journey. We went with you all the way. And you will remain with us. Stunning." (Brighton Fringe audience member)
* "You star." David, Brighton.
* Thought you were amazing." Tre, Brighton.
* Jonathan Brown's performance of the 'Father Monologues' took the form of two one man soliloquies. I saw Jenny's story, a tale of a person having undergone 'gender reclassification' who resolves a custody battle over her son via a Shakespearian performance in a library.
The show is beautifully performed and exquisitely written and Jenny's voice is articulately conveyed and precisely observed. The show is funny in the right places and thought provoking throughout exploring parent/child relationships, sex and sexuality, love and self discovery.
There is a huge writing and acting talent at work here - the show was one of the stand-out nights of the 2007 Brighton Fringe and deserves to play to a wider audience.
Nick Stockman. Brighton Fringe Manager
* "Falmer Boy made good. Just wonderful, well done." Melanie, Brighton.
* "Stunningly good." Pat, Brighton.
* "Fantastic Jonathan. Really, really talented." Mike, Brighton.
* "Love happy endings. Thankyou." Virginia, Brighton.
* "Sounds corny but I was so impressed with your performance, and it has been the highlight of the festival." Gail, Brighton.
* "Absolutely fantastic! A powerful, tender and hilariously animated/(executed?) portrayal of one man's struggle to come to terms with fatherhood. I loved the way in which Jonathan utilized his minimal props, voice and actions to bring the different characters to life. Was there really only one person doing the whole show?! Totally absorbing." Maya Preece, Dragonsfly.
* What an absolutely amazing performance. What talent!!! I’m quite mind-blown by the whole performance. How can one man do all of that!? Put me on your mailing list and let me know when you are next performing please. Margaret Barnes.
* I was rapt from the start of Part 1 to the end of Part 2. It was brilliant and left me so much to think about. Kirsten Bjeregaard.
* Funny and deeply touching ~ I was completely riveted. Excellent! Best theatre show I have seen in years. Please inform me when you perform next. Thank you! Ruth, Totnes.
* Very impressive by taking us on an intimate journey through all these feelings. Look forward to No.3 (and 4,5, etc!). Max Bjeregaard.
* Jonathan, touched, awed by the energy and love you showed us Danny with. I loved it. Love to you, you crazy wild tender man. Jo.
* A wonderful, energetic, sensitive performance and so well observed. Thank you for the uncomfortable feelings! Sally.
* Hear, hear! Very, very skilled portrayal of the characters and extraordinary experiences of someone being woken up to their potential. Very moving, very funny. Anthea.
* Very, very impressive acting ~ very deep and meaningful. Liked it a lot. Mark, Shropshire
* Inspiring! Powerful and very moving performance ~ good luck with it. Tanya, Glastonbury
* Mind-boggling Genius!! Funny, Touching. Nick
* Brilliant. Got to me. Vershe
* Just watched Danny. . .moved and mesmerised by your performance, and your writing Jonathan. When Danny {is shamed into exclusion} I felt my tears rise, and the {birthing} scene is brilliant, and Barry. . . beautiful. Well done you. Well done Ali. Tremendous. Olly, Totnes.
* Danny was powerfully performed with such intensity and sensitivity. The {birthing} was great, and I was gripped by the characters and the telling of the story. I was also very moved. You've done yourself proud, well done and may you be recognised for it. Kirsty, Totnes
* Brilliant! I loved the portrayal of the intense sensitivity of a young working class man~ of whom dominating society might deem insensitive. And the magic and mystery and poetry and meanings of his life. Go far! Hilary.
* Wonderful. Deeply moving. Fell in love with Danny. What a hero! Good luck in Edinburgh. Andy
* Great piece. A feast of good writing and classy acting. You've got my support. Agata.
* Complex issues woven into a compelling performance with many shades and tones. Very enjoyable. John
* I was surprised, entertained. I enjoyed your characters, facial expressions and physical embodiment. I loved it all, YOU WERE / ARE GREAT. Vince
* I sat the whole time ~ R.A.P.T. ~ Rapt. Very moving character and incredible embodiment. Surprising how convincing you are as a woman. (And. . . ) I was so utterly convinced by your Danny, BY Danny in fact. So nuanced, that's what makes the transformation complete for me. You're so bloody talented man!!! Thank you for expressing it so unabashedly. Alia, Totnes.
* I thought that the plays were brilliantly written and performed and have said so to many people. I'm very proud of you. Chris MB.
* The Father Monologues were great. I didn't know what to expect and really enjoyed the different levels of experience, the stories of Danny and Jenny, and the blend of depth and humour was subtle and effective. Beautiful and engaging, thought provoking and skilful ~ a really enjoyable evening. Maureen Ni Fiann, Counsellor, mother.
* Danny was painfully well portrayed, but more rewarding for me was the story of Jenny, a rich and powerful unfolding, challenging but ultimately satisfying. A fabulous range of styles. I loved it because it came from the heart. Ramona Belcher, Artist/Dancer/Performer, mother
* "Now that really made me think about that situation, which I ahve no idea about really. You played it out sensitively, and believeably." Carol, Brighton.
* Talented writing and performing. Really enjoyed the intimate staging. Thought provoking without hitting with a sledgehammer!
* "Fab performance, excellent script. Very Funny. Thanks."
* " A very talented man. Most enjoyable."
* "A brilliant gender bender tonight. Let us know about part 3."
* The humour weaving in with the pathos that gave the first half a great appeal, moved in the second half to something more solidly serious.
* Wonderfully rich and dark characters. I think you carry it off exceptionally well. It must have been intense!
* Excellent artistic piece as an audience we were taken on a journey, from light hearted to deeply thought-provoking, with a good twist at the end!
* Fantastic performance full of highs and lows. Wonderful.
* An extraordinary ability to maintain the intensity up to the very last.
* Moving and great versatility of expression.
* Thanks for an excellent performance, very intense, funny at times and always moving.
* "Very enjoyable"
How to Buy Tickets
Jonathan Brown’s The Father Monologues ~ Part 2 is a demanding vehicle for the actor. The father of the piece defies conventional expectations of what constitutes paternity and to persuade an audience to empathise with the character requires a great deal of theatrical skill.
The play, which premiered at the Phoenix project in Glastonbury July 2006, is an absorbing hour or so of a drama, which amuses and confuses in equal measure. It is a credit to author, performer, director Jonathan Brown that he has created a theatrical experience, which enables its audience to explore their own feelings about what constitutes masculinity. I hope it will be widely seen.
Liz Beech, Artistic Director - The PHOENIX project, Glastonbury
The Father Monologues Part 1, a powerful piece that leaves the audience wanting more. It is an emotional journey that includes humour, pathos and pain as the main character comes to terms with his life and his personal choices. It was a superb performance by actor, writer, director Jonathan Brown whose eye for detail, ability to change character and witty dialogue kept his audience enthralled to the end.
Charlie Dearden, Centre Director, Bridgwater Arts Centre
(On seeing Part 1 Charlie booked Part 2)
HM3: Next up, a newer discovery that we reckon deserves an honourable mention. We ThreeWeeks editors know what its like being producer, performer and playwright all at the same time (well, one of us does), which is why we are giving a nod to Jonathan Brown, who has been performing all three of those roles in his 'Father Monologues' which have been performed at The Clermont Church. We've been hearing lots of great things about this great project, and we wish Brown all the best in his future producing, performing and playwriting - whether he's doing one at a time, or all three at once.