Licence
"A spellbinding event"     Maurice Hindle (Writer, Educator, Editor)

  Bernie wants his pub to be "child friendly", a party atmosphere, a sort of... Santa's Grotto, with himself as Father Christmas. But he's so busy making his dream come true, that his own ten year-old son, Teddy, doesn't get a look in.  Blind to his son's need for love, his wife's need for moderation and his best friend's need for honesty, Bernie sails his prized ship, The Toby, directly and decisively, onto the rocks.

Funny, full of laughter, moving, disturbing, poignant, and  emotionally satisfying.

One man’s odyssey, to save his son and his own sanity, from the sinister forces he's exposed them both to.

5 Stars (Latest 7 Magazine)
4 Stars (Fringe Review)
4 Stars (Three weeks)

Written and performed by Jonathan Brown
Winner, Best New Play Award, Brighton Fringe 2012 (for the Last Lunch)
Best Male Performer (nom) Brighton Fringe 2007

And Directed by Denise Evans

5/5 "A perfect piece of fringe theatre. Writer/actor Jonathan Brown takes you on a complex, funny and harrowing journey. Bernie.... is portrayed brilliantly by Brown, who plays with equal plausibility and pathos his neglected son, brash wife, lust interest and various drunken regulars. Brown has a terrific eye for social observation and his one man show is a profoundly moving piece of theatre. If you're only going to see one play this festival, you'd be hard pressed to beat this." Rachel Pegg, Latest 7 Magazine, Brighton Fringe 2010.

Contains strong language. Suitable for 12+ yr olds.

" loved the humour, the darkness, the dangerous territories and the power of the message. I felt in that intimate space we were seeing you unravel a part of your soul....wish you every success for the rest of the run. I hope many people come to see it, for their benefit as well as yours." Anita Sullivan, Playwright.

Simply outstanding! From the outset this piece was compelling. Jonathan is a consummate actor and held the audience single-handedly in awe with his amazing multi-characterisations.
impeccably acted, completely convincing... Without going into the fine detail of Jonathan's writing, the story is both extremely amusing and profoundly sad.....every nuance of this issue examined with finesse and intelligence. I can not praise this performance enough. From the very evident skill of Jonathan as an actor to the profundity and humour of his writing. I was not surprised to read he was a 2007 nominee for the Brighton Fringe, rightly so. This work was extraordinary and compelling and his other work will undoubtedly be so. A huge talent. Highly recommended.  Extract of a Review of "Licence" by Journalist Ian Reuben...

***** Licence is a must see. Jonathan Brown is a captivating story teller who draws you into the world of the Landlord, Bernie. Well written, well performed and a fantastic piece of theatre. Jonathan Brown is funny, moving and extremely talented. One to watch.       Amanda Ashley, Dep. Centre Manager, The Space.

Licence starts out  the gripping story of the last days of a pub, as told by landlord Bernie, whose drive, to sell his wares, to be popular and to prove his worth to his regulars severely undermines his ability to develop intimacy with his son & his own inner world. Indeed it acts as the perfect distraction, enabling him to submerge and deny ancient, forbidden feelings. Feelings he'd forgotten he ever had. Through an emerging subplot that carries undertones of unrealised sexuality, we see how a terror of emotionality can drive a man away from his feelings, his sensitivity, and into whatever "industry" that will happily help him...to bury them.

***** Jonathan Brown's writing is spot-on and is superbly coupled with his outstanding performance skills, which allow an extended cast of characters to be brought alive on stage by a singular actor. The best of it's type (although License is probably more accurately in its own league.) An exceptional performance - must be seen to be believed.    Fiona Mulvihill

"It is not easy to keep someone with arthritis and narcolepsy awake and pain-free for nigh on ninety minutes. He is 1000% more entertaining than most `celebrities' on television, and he not only writes his own material, but brings to life a varied cast of characters, and makes you believe in them. "….extremely witty and often laugh-out-loud. J.B. is not just a 'funny-man', but a writer who uses humour to make the audience think as well as laugh". Oswald, Audience Member, Brighton.