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Jason John Whitehead: Letters From Mindy
Live Review

It's ten years since Jason John Whitehead performed his first Edinburgh show, when he was part of an composite bill from agents Off The Kerb. In the intervening years this likeable Canadian has chalked up seven Fringe runs, each time changing his pitch and approach.

The notion of change is essentially what this show is supposed to be about. I say ‘supposed to be’ because Letters From Mindy is another Fringe show where the concept has too loosely been applied to the material around it and vice versa.

The premise is that Whitehead has been left to deal with the predictably messy aftermath of a five-year relationship coming to an end. His reaction follows the classic stages: shock, denial, bargaining and depression. The latter sees him in a foetal position on his couch for months and, therefore, with plenty of time to think about the show that would inevitably arise from it. But not enough time to get a director, it would seem.

The stages themselves and a series of the titular letters would seem to give the piece structure but the former isn't strictly or cleverly adhered to and the latter device is unevenly employed. The provenance of the letters is confusing and they fail to shed much light on the tensions between men and women.

As ever Whitehead, now clean-shaven, clean-living and looking more Buddy Holly than his usual rock chic, pulls off some good lines although his undulating delivery can often mean that his punchlines end on a downbeat note.

Whatever the quality in some passages of the show, too often Whitehead will wander down dead-ends particularly towards the messy climax, where he talks about the future of men's genitalia and uses a laboured take on the PC versus Mac debate to illustrate the capabilities of men and women respectively to pull up facts in argument.

This is definitely not a red letter day.

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Brilliant.

Clare, September 2004

I've just got back from Reading Festival at which JJ Whitehead did a 20 minute set which was way way too short. he made all the hecklers look like complete idiots. The laughs he got were very well deserved. Can't wait to see a longer set which isnt in a tent

Randy, August 2004

He's the best! Last night in Cardiff he improvised for 15 minutes and just when I couldn't breathe from laughing he launches in to the best material I've heard in ages.

Matt Riley, August 2004

Jason does a lot of those "Have you ever noticed..." jokes", and like to swear and awful lot. The second time I saw him was just under a year after the first and couldnt believe my ears - his material was all the same.

Michael Tomlin, May 2004

Saw him at Up The Creek Too, he was amazing and even came back for second set when the 3rd act didnt turn up. Spot on material, great delivery -a star.

Steve Upsall, February 2004

Absolutely brilliant, pick his show by chance when I was in Edinburgh. Excellent choice

Andrew Stewart, September 2003

Outstanding! I saw him moments ago and had to sign on here to talk about him straight away! His sketches are very original and very witty. His delivery of lines is excellent and he never lets the audience stop smiling! None stop laughs from start to finish. I am already looking to see him live and I reccomend you all do the same! Funniest show I have seen in a long time.

Penguin, September 2003

Also saw his Comedy Store performance on TV and despite originally worrying his voice would irritate me he had me in stitches with his odd deliveries of great jokes

Richard, July 2003

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