Jasper opened the trapdoor and climbed up into the attic of his ex-wife’s house where he once lived. Now a divorcee, he was there to collect his remaining possessions to take to his cheap little flat. A Kevin & Perry teenage son, Dan, played Gangsta Rap downstairs as Jasper came across his old French Horn that had been in its box for 39 years. Thus began the journey of I Found My Horn, writes Michael Holland.
Jasper, played by Jonathan Guy Lewis, gave us some facts about the horn bringing down the walls of Jericho in some biblical myth, and of it being the most difficult instrument to play. To prove that point, he pursed his lips and gave us a blast – or tried to – but the noise that emanated from that gleaming contraption convinced me that it was.
Jump to a meeting with Dave Lee of the British Horn Society who he tells of his plan to play a solo for the society members. Jasper gives Dave another blast and is promptly told that he needs to practise. A lot. Day and night, because the audition for the concert is one week away.
Jasper’s quest to find a new love to replace his lost love has given him a purpose. Dan, the son, calls him an idiot and says his mum was right to leave him. Harsh.
Jasper, nevertheless, gets stuck in to his uphill task with gusto, his enthusiasm was infectious as he prepares to get a place in the orchestra. After the audition he is placed on a list and then informed that the concert is a year away, leaving time for the intrepid musician, who was trying to salvage something of his life, to attend Horn Camp where he met and played with Kelly-Ann, a nun, and Herman The German, the teacher who was going to get them up to scratch.
During the time taken to get concert-fit, Jasper picks up tips and knowledge to motivate and encourage from all the people who works with, and when the big day comes, well, no spoilers here, but the denouement had a nice little twist.
I Found My Horn is a true story and is adapted by Jonathan Guy Lewis and Jasper Rees from Rees’ book. It is a one-man show with Lewis, remarkably, playing everyone that he meets and in accents that range from German, Yorkshire, Mississippi and Teenage Grunt. And, also remarkably, playing the horn.
There are a lot of musical terms used that go over most people’s heads, but this does not take away from the sheer enjoyment of it all. I Found My Horn is a winner.
White Bear Theatre, 138 Kennington Park Road, London, SE11 4DJ until 11th February. Times: Tues-Sat 7.30pm. Admission: £17, £12.
Booking: www.whitebeartheatre.co.uk