Words: Kiera Harper
Image: Elly Wel

4 Stars

I AM JOHNNY, written and performed by Tessa Parr, is a witty, camp show which balances hilarity with surprisingly deep vulnerability. 

Tessa Parr is Johnny, a thirty something white man who’s grown to love slam poetry as his vehicle for self-expression and vulnerability. This may all seem like a perfect set up for a hilarious show, and while it is side splittingly funny, I AM JOHNNY is also a deeply reflective examination of masculinity. This show delves into nuanced insights into gender, class and the fragility of masculinity. From male friendships to their familial and romantic relationships, these topics are covered in the only way many men know how: through comedy. This depiction puts a spotlight on how men typically hide their troubles within humour or performance and makes audiences question our roles within this. This part particularly brings a layer of reality into the performance, which can make audiences uneasy and unsure why they laughed at certain parts of Johnny’s poetry sections. 

This show does what drag does best: it’s a light, entertaining performance with a deep underlying meaning and an assessment of gender. Tessa Parr’s masterful use of physicality, audience interaction and deep eye contact makes her Johnny. She morphs into one of the boys we all grew up with who were failed by the system and didn’t feel comfortable expressing themselves in a way that would make them stand out. This show highlights how classism impacts and at times creates fragile masculinity in a clever, nuanced way with skilled comedy. 

I AM JOHNNY is a humorous, insightful examination of masculinity, classism and broken societal systems, which will make your cheeks hurt from laughing and, on reflection, make you realise it is a profound and timely piece about today’s growing discussion on male loneliness. 

I AM JOHNNY 
Red Lecture Theatre at Summerhall
18:15 
6^th – 31^st August (no performances on the 17^th and 24^th)