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drinks Monday 4 August 08
Joanna Neary is Not Feeling Herself
Verdict: Pert character comedy
Joanna Neary delivers an hour of pert comedy sketches and acutely-observed parodies of social types. The show highlights her fine acting, dance, singing, comedy, and endearing personality.
Two open suitcases stuffed with wigs, clothes, velvet, a doll, straw hat, cloth cap and teapot make the set - plus a chair, and stand mic. Jo Neary comes with black trousers, top, her long chestnut hair tied back. She flits in and out of costume on stage for her many characters - cat and dolphin included.
She's a teenage girl recounting the thrills and small disasters as she tries to impress unseen Lee in My First Disco; with black bouffant curls and can of lager as a critic for whom life is only Quite Good; a spot-on faded upper-class 'character' teaching adult education object-restoration in Peg Bird, Bohemian Doctor and Rumoured Avant-Garde Flamenco Dancer - a sublime parody of a recognisable stereotype.
In cat's whiskers, cat pants - with the 'bum-hole' that stars in the sketch - and brandishing a swizzle-stick, she's naughty castrated pussy Mr Timkins. He's a dirty and scheming feline who sings I've Not Been Quite Myself Since I Had My Dingle Done.
Clouds is a short and elegant dream. In blond wig she's an enthusiasic observer singing When I Go Out Dogging - 'It's a little like falling in love' / 'Wanking over someone wanking over someone else's arse'.
Fiona parodies a gap-year middle-class girl desperate to be exactly on trend, and tragically missing by a mile. It's extremely funny, but there's a tart undertow of pathos that carries a small coffin of sorrow. In little white dress and feathery garland, she's a disturbed dreamer in It'll Be So Great By The Sea. Her My Mum, My Gran gently mocks the generations.
Jo Neary deconstructs I've Got An Itch, I Want You To Scratch It. Perched on a stool, crossing her legs seductively, and singing á la Billie Holliday, she picks apart the surface of jazz to reveal the sex.
Tonight's high point is her remarkable Dolphin. This dolphin wears a pink suit, has a Welsh accent, and loves Robbie Williams. Whereas Mr Timkins is Jo Neary dressed as a cat, in Dolphin - remarkably - she suspends reality and seems to become this odd and quite non-human (and probably non-dolphin) creation. It's an outstanding piece of acting - and writing.
When I'm At The Karaoke, like 'Bonnie Tyler or a fat Celine Dion', apes the off-key singing that goes with a pub mic. In blonde wig, looking like Myra Hindley, she's the French Girl for whom nothing in England is right - a deft look at society this side of La Manche. Brief Encounter updates the classic film to a modern suburban village; it's a sharp and evocative characterisation of an upper-middle-class woman caught in a time-warp. Exact detail and observation produce a remarkable script.
Pan's People delivers minimalist and funny mime to the classic Can't Live If Living Is Without You. Jo Neary's in Harlequin hat for When You Go To The Moon, sung to a musical box score, and with a surprise in the tail.
Jo Neary's grace as a dancer gives each movement elegance. Her melodic voice brings the subtle, funny and gifted songs by Brian P Mitchell - her long-standing collaborator who writes here specifically for her - to frequently filthy life.
Joanna Neary creates her own world. It's intriguing, and her gentle charm as a performer welcomes the audience to enter. All within is sharply-drawn - and often subtly disturbing.
Cast Credits (alpha order): Written & performed by Joanna Neary. Songs: Words & music by Brian P Mitchell. Directors - Paul Spencer & Adrian Bunting.
Company Credits: Technical manager (tonight) - Phil Hewitt. Producer - Komedia Entertainment.
END
John Park
reviewed Saturday 17 July 04 / Latchmere Theatre
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008
