Uncle Val Recap

At the risk of making Craig too envious, I have to say that Andy Jones is Brilliant. Yes, that is a capital B and yes, I know "brilliant" is bandied about a lot but in this case, it is justified. I mean just the fact that he can do a one-man show that has a first act of 70 minutes, then a 15 minute intermission, then come back for another 30 minute act. Just that alone, is impressive. Add to it how hilarious it all is, yet thought-provoking as well, and you have to be amazed.

I could try to explain it and tell you about it and the great lines and the wonderful use of props, but it just would not do. How do you explain something that includes letters home from a character named Uncle Val ( a 70-odd year old man who moves from rural Newfoundland and Labrador to St. John's to live with his daughter, son-in-law, his grandchildren and two poodles, hating it most of the way), the inner working of Andy Jones' brain, imitations of Joey Smallwood, Jackie Kennedy, John Kennedy, and Marilyn Monroe, reminiscences about the good old days of the arts in the 70's and the Parliament of Cultural Romance, and many other tangents Andy manages to go on while keeping us laughing so hard our jaws hurt (at least mine did)? I could tell you about lines like "Senior crib death" or "the softspot murderer" or stories of suburban wolves but really, you wouldn't get it unless you were there. I could act it out for you and repeat it verbatim but, unless it is Andy Jones doing the talking, it won't be the same. You have to see it yourself and you should and the good news is that the show has been held over. Additional shows are Sunday, Nov 26, December 1- 3rd at 8:00pm and a matinee on December 3 at 1:00 p.m. Seriously, do yourself a favour if you are in town and go see it. And Craig, honestly, the trip from Iqaluit would be worth it. If you can't get here, though, you can buy an audio CD of the Andy Jones' Letters from Uncle Val from Rattling Books. You can listen to the first of the letters online.

All hail Andy Jones!