An anarchic smorgasbord of delights
Leaving Edinburgh’s Monkey Barrel on Friday night, I messaged a friend “I don’t know what I’ve just seen, but I think I really liked it”. I’m not quite sure who Mr Chonkers is for, or how to do it justice in this review, which leaves me in an unusual position. But I do know this show is definitely for me, so let’s have a go.
Mr Chonkers is the creation of US comedian John Norris. An unexpected hit in the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe, it has grown in popularity, and he’s now embarking on a Mr Chonkers tour, kicking off in Edinburgh. In the crowd before the show begins, there’s a real buzz, peppered with snippets of people dying to let their companions know what’s coming, without ruining the suspense.
Over the next hour, we’re treated to Mr Chonker’s industry debut, showcasing his skills learnt over so many hours, with his mentor, Dr William Chunt. We have sections dedicated to poetry, comedy, startling celebrity impressions, facial contortions a-plenty, hats a-go-go, an insightful phone conversation, and a many-versioned Italian melodrama for the ages, complete with an incomparable finale. Mr Chonkers spills his soul about his career insecurities, and whilst his dreams are seemingly crumbling around him, he rises to a riotous and glorious finale. There’s physicality and energy in spades, whilst we’re kept laughing at, and with, him, and a bit unsure about why at times.
It would be an easy decision to keep throwing these elements at an audience in the hope something sticks. However, this has been carefully produced, with lovely looping callbacks, and it all just…works? Unbelievably and seemingly effortlessly (which means bucketloads of effort has gone into making it so). You can tell someone loves what they’re doing when their eyes sparkle – John Norris’ eyes are practically dazzling throughout.
Possibly due to it being the first night, there are some points where the pacing felt a little uneven in the middle section, although it really ramps up in the climax. The audience participation was a little stilted, but more a reflection on the audience members than Norris, which is always a risk. I’d love to see another night where they were more engaged, but equally, we would have missed some gorgeously contorted facial expressions and imploring looks to release Mr Chonkers from his self-imposed horrors.
As we reach the climax with a magic trick, it’s clear there’s real heart at the centre of this show, and the audience are united in the vision and perseverance of Mr Chonkers to make his dreams come true.
This is a pile of delights that weaves into nothing and everything. If the outside world is making no sense, dive into nonsense with Mr Chonkers.
The Mr Chonkers tour continues in February and March 2025, with dates in Manchester, Leeds, Paris, Amsterdam, Bristol, London and Brighton. Tickets available at https://www.impatientproductionsuk.com/mr-chonkers