I was raised on the recitation and still rejoice in the memory of being present in boisterous bars or intimate kitchens when all are hushed by the shut-eyed concentration of some old guy’s rendition of ‘Dangerous Dan McGrew’. I have become that old guy and am striving to preserve that traditional part of our heritage that needs attention and deserves an audience.
I do not call myself a “Storyteller’ because it conjures images of fairies and leprechauns enthralling young audiences. As a Spoken Word Artist I dramatically perform theatrical excerpt, recitation, comedy, nostalgia, traditional and original monologues aimed at adult audiences.
I came to Canada from my native Kilkenny back in 1968 and have since been grappling with the rediscovery of my Celtic self through drama with Toronto Irish Players and through music with TIP Splinter. Arm-weary of grappling , I have at last embraced my first love - The Spoken Word. Hardly a traditional storyteller, my celebration of language through verse and monologue, while often original composition, is ever mindful of that Irish reverence for the power and magic of the word. Yet magic and myth are not part of my repertoire so don't expect those fairies and leprechauns. Do expect Synge, Brian Friel, Sean O'Casey, Patrick Kavanagh, Percy French, John D. Sheridan - words with teeth in 'em!
And do expect to laugh.
I am in high demand for inclusion in concerts and my role is invariably to "lighten up" the proceedings. This I happily do and have entertained at prestigious venues such as The Rogers Centre, Roy Thomson Hall, Massey Hall etc but am equally at home in an Irish Pub setting and a wide variety of clubs from Hugh’s Room in Toronto to the Artbar in Kitchener with stops at Gate 403 on Roncesvalles and concert performances with The Toronto Choral Society. What I particularly have done for the past 18 months is Dinner Theatre in and around Toronto. I see it as a great mid-week alternative to late nights in noisy bars when patrons can enjoy a fun evening in a social setting with family and friends and still be home and in bed by 11pm. Recent venues for Dinner Theatre have been Allen’s Restaurant, P.J.O’Briens, Dora Keogh’s, The Brazen Head, The Brogue Inn, The Village Inn etc.
Background highlights include:
Thea Award winning actor and designer with Toronto Irish Players.
James Buller Award winning playwright for "Yours, In J.C."
Author/director of a series of one-act plays and recently presented the full-length play ‘The Warrior Bard – a celebration of Moore’s Melodies’ at The Alumnae Theatre in Toronto.
Founder of TIP Splinter, Irish Traditional group who performed throughout Canada, U.S.A. and at The Rose of Tralee Festival in Ireland playing banjo, hammer dulcimer, mandola and clarinet/sax.
7 Music Albums recorded including a solo album of original songs.
Remembered as TV producer with Rogers Television and hosted weekly music series called "Highway 10" for 13 years.
Celtic artist(carving) and commissioned artist for The Irish Person of the Year Awards and The Acting Irish International Theatre Festival.
Founder and "King of The Wrenboys" for 25+ years.
I recently dared a concert in my home town of Kilkenny and garnered the following review:
Jonathan Lynn is a Kilkenny man who emigrated to Canada where he is a set designer with the Toronto Irish Players theatre, among other things. One of those other things is his acting ability. A master of the monologue, wonderful mimic and a musician to boot he entertained a rapt and appreciative audience on a recent visit home.
Jonathan Lynn is as good as they come and his one-man show, The Spoken Word, includes excerpts from Robert Service, Percy French, Brian Friel, Brendan Behan, John B Keane and Patrick Kavanagh to name but a few, not to mention his own original work. This was entertainment with a capital E and the man deserves a bigger audience than Bollards which was chock-a-block.
Perhaps our Arts Festival folk might take a look at this talented man, this local talented man, and find a spot for him in next year’s festival. Kilkenny Castle Tower would be a perfect venue and Jonathan Lynn I guarantee you will not disappoint.
Gerry Moran Column, Kilkenny People Aug 28th 2008
Front drawing by Helen Vella.
Photos by Gerry LeBrun and William 'Smitty' Smith.
Web design by Pat Simmonds.
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