Writer and Director: Johnnie Walker
If you choose to attend Johnnie Walker’s one man show it’s at his express invitation, and you’ll find yourself amongst a crowd of “queer luminaries”, finally gathered together to solve the age old problem – what on earth are we going to do about the heterosexuals? They’ve always been a general nuisance, but they’re infiltrating queer spaces now and trying to poach all the best culture – how can they be stopped? Don’t worry, easy instructions are provided at the end.
Walker has an electric stage presence and he builds the energy to dizzying heights, feeding off the audience and giving it back in spades. Technically he shows great skill; he delivers the monologue at a breakneck pace, but remains clear and crisp through the entire hour. He’s also a confident performer that easily rolled with the technical difficulties at the beginning of the show. He’s deeply likeable and charismatic; a real joy to watch.
The performance is wonderful but the writing is equally as impressive. Walker’s wit is perfectly acerbic, and he keeps the audience roaring with clever observations, pop culture references, and an in joke that keeps delivering. That said, it’s not just a comedy show. As the audience is whisked along through the story of Walker’s life we meet “other Johnnie” face to face; the alter ego through which we see the pain of keeping any aspect of ourselves hidden away, especially from ourselves. Walker delivers a social commentary that manages to hit a very personal note, and a very true note at the same time.
There are some smart lighting choices, and the intimate stage in the Outhouse is well utilised. The costuming is simple but effective – never before has a flannel shirt been so transformative. The disembodied voice of “other Johnnie” at the beginning of the show also provides a clever back and forth for the one-man format.
If you miss Walker here in Dublin you’ll be kicking yourself all the way to Canada to catch him there instead!
Runs until 13th May 2023.
