Reviews
Below you will find reviews for my shows - I have two personal favourites, the “running debate” from London Ontario, look for the heading “dissapointed” as the start, and all the stuff right at the bottom from San Francisco & the-bin-full-of-empty-bottles thrown at me!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDEDTucked away in the ‘Spoken Word’ category and featuring a hairy self-titled poet may suggest an hour of genteel eco-friendly stanzas on the terrors of global capitalization and the usual suspects - far from it!Matt Panesh does give us verse, but it’s seamlessly integrated into an hour of full blown comedy which slow burns nicely into a an ‘Adult Only’ roasting session…best enjoyed with a broad mind (and broader anal cavities). Fear not though if you’re a tad sensitive as partway Matt does ‘ask the audience’ whether they prefer the remainder of the show to be clean cut or the uncensored version…Matt starts by welcoming himself to the UK by providing an amusing potted distillation of his lineage which crosses many foreign borders. Themes of integration and economics mingle with the Romantic Poets and join forces to render a hilarious, non pc portrayal of life today…as we know it!?!Then comes the aforementioned sex part - it’s hardcore but pretty-in-pink rather dripping with bodily excretions (though they do feature). Walking such a taboo high wire is risky but Monkey P gets by on warmth of delivery and personality - there’s no ranting or calculated shock factor - just the honest musings of a likeable down n out with a hint of vintage Billy Connolly’s mannerisms. Once engaged it’s hard to take offence - apparently four people did walk out on the first night at The 2007 Indianapolis Fringe - I’m sure Matt apologized to them afterwards, as he did post-show to the lady who exited early during this show.This is a gem of a show featuring a memorably engaging performer who’s naughty but nice with it - it deserves success next month in Edinburgh where it’s being re-titled ‘Stand Up Monkey Poet’.On a personal note, it’s great to see a performer drink their alcohol with such relish.StoonTHIS event’s title suggested one of two things: Either I was in for an evening of Buckfast and deep fried haggis, or, I was in store for a couple of shows, varying in quality, with diametrically opposed content.No surprise, despite the stage being located in a deli/wine shop, the latter proved true; two performances so different it boggles the mind how they found themselves sharing the same billing.The venue oozed Fringe ambience, makeshift and intimate, with nothing to separate the performers from their audience.The first act ‘Pigeon Man Apocalypse’ brought Andy McQuade to the stage to deliver a darkly hypnotic monologue, delving into the mind of Arthur, a boy abused by his mother, driven to the edges of reason and, ultimately, murder.McQuade filled the space with eccentric, expressive energy, using his whole physical being to drive the disturbing story home.After such intense, serious theatre, the second act ‘Stand Up Monkey Poet’ provided much necessary relief in the form of fast flowing humour and wry, satirical poetry.Matt Panesh offered a hilarious insight into his perception of the modern world, providing a social commentary touching on nationalism, economics and Fleet St, give all an even handed bashing of wit.Reviewed: Fri, 10 July, 2009
BRIGHTON FRINGE
Stand-Up Monkey Poet!
Monkey Poet & Laughing Horse Comedy
Brilliantly delivered poetry was juxtaposed with fast-paced stand-up in this crude, rude performance poetry set. Monkey Poet achieved maximum impact from the limited facilities at the Quadrant, successfully building up anticipation as he introduced himself onstage with no backing track and no compere. Halfway through the set the audience was asked if we’d prefer the crude second half, or the very crude second half; the stag night group sitting next to me were in no two minds about this, and the latter was chosen by popular demand. “See, that’s the problem with democracy” laughed the poet. And it really is explicit, so not one for the easily offended, but this audience was in stitches. Topical, original, and delivered with style. Don’t miss it, if you get the chance.Laughing Horse @ The Quadrant, 23 - 25 May, 5.15pm, £5.00tw rating: 4/5published: Jun-2009
TORONTO FRINGE 08EYE WEEKLY 4/5 Stars
The full eye weekly review
With his Clockwork Orange t-shirt and hearty Manchester accent, Matt Panesh is a lad’s lad, the one who will put you to bed after too many pints. The spoken-word poems in this simple one-man production have rowdy packaging, with titles like “That Fuckin’ Fucker’s Son,” “I Loved You Like a Brother ‘Till I found Out You Were a Cocksucker” and “Fuckin’ Retard,” the latter about George W. The punkish irony, with all its laughs, is not mere posturing. Panesh’s rhymes rip into politics, love and the looming economic crisis in the hopes that any new configuration will favour the underdog.The eye online review
Yobbish poem titles like “That Fuckin’ Fucker’s Son” and “Fuckin’ Retard” obscure Mancunian Matt Panesh’s funny, passionate and bawdy rhymes about love, politics and religious nuts.
BY PAUL GALLANTThese have been the printed reviews from critic-y type people.
Now for some audience reviews from real people!
INDY-THEATRE-HABIT.COM
Warning: This show was for adults only. My review includes some adults-only stuff, too.
On the Wednesday afternoon of the 2008 Indianapolis Fringe Festival, I had just finished noshing at the Performers’ Luncheon and was headed to Henry’s on East coffee shop for some free Internet. I noticed a tall, bearded man with a wool hat pulled down over his ears walking directly towards me. He was grinning.
I gave a little smile back just to cover my karma without being too encouraging in case he turned out to be a nut job…but then, as he got closer, I recognized him!
It was Matt Panesh, the Monkey Poet!
He had just arrived from England. I was so glad to see him! He was one of my very favorite performers at last year’s Fringe. I reviewed his stand-up comedy show for IndianaAuditions.com last year and this year listed him as one of the shows I would see even if I only had $50 to spend at the Fringe.
I caught his new show at the ComedySportz Arena on Wednesday night and fell in love all over again. This man has a fearlessly raunchy sense of humor, a skilled and willing tongue, and such a realistic yet hopeful awareness of the world that it moved me to tears.
At one point in his new show Panesh asks the audience if we would like to hear something reasonably disgusting or VERY disgusting. We are Americans, for better or worse, so of course we ask for the biggie size. (Panesh told me later that although he had the reasonably disgusting version ready, none of his six Indy Fringe audiences asked him for it.)
Oh, my goodness, the story he told was shake-your-hands-out disgusting. I laughed and laughed.
But here’s the thing. After he told that story (and no, I am not going to repeat it here!) he said that whenever someone calls him disgusting he tells them this story…
(The following is not a direct quote, unfortunately, just what I remember of it. He acted it out as he told it.)
“I was around 13 or so and I had convinced this bird to go out behind the pub and have a go with me. We got out there, I was so excited I dropped to my knees, ripped down her pants, and started going at her, hands to cheeks, when…”
Now, I’ll leave it to Panesh to tell the rest of that story to you some day, if you missed his show this year. The thing I want to point out, the thing that makes me melt in wonder all over again every time I think of it, is that he did NOT find the idea of going down on a girl disgusting.
Imagine what that would be like: being able to receive one of the best pleasures God ever created without having to negotiate for it or worry about it.
Panesh’ show wasn’t just about sex, however. Several of his hilarious stories and poems were about politicians (”f*cking whankers!”) and, even more interesting to me, about public support of the arts. He told about going to a tax-supported visual art show where all of the pieces had signs next to them explaining their significance to Britain. I did NOT hear him say that art should not be supported by taxes, only that if it has to be explained to everyone, it is not art.
Panesh has so much energy! As he recites his poems or tells his stories, he bounds back and forth across the stage like a…well, like a monkey. A tall, goofy, sexy, wickedly funny monkey.
He did two shows back to back on the final Sunday of the Fringe. I wish I had made time to see the second show. I wondered if he could possibly keep up that high level of energy for that long.
I happened to meet him on the street afterwards, though, and he said that Phil Van Hest had been videotaping the second show for him, so that gave him the will to keep his energy up.
I asked if he would be back to the Indianapolis Fringe Festival next year. He said he hoped so, and that maybe he would bring another form of performance art other than stand-up comedy poems.
I’ll be happy to see his next show whatever form it takes. At the end of his show this year, he recited a poem about the various immigrant groups that have made their homes in Britain. It was a moving poem about patriotism, about celebrating Britain’s diversity not in order to make everyone the same but to appreciate each other for who we are.
As he was reciting it, I thought, “I feel that way about the United States!” But as I was talking through tears to him about it afterwards, I realized that I actually feel that way about the planet.
And I thank God that Matt Panesh is on it.
Hope Baugh – www.indytheatrehabit.com
LONDON FRINGE 08
Worth it, definitely go.
by kiwi on Sat Aug 02, 2008 1:52 pm
If you missed him last year, you should see him this year. He’s ballsy, raunchy, and a master of rhythm. A born storyteller, and quite brave–definitely willing to risk himself, and he goes all the way with it. It’s rare that you’ll get to see someone put it all out there, so don’t miss it!Disappointed
Four of us caught this show last night. We had heard it recommended by someone who watched Matt perform at Thursday’s kick off to the Fringe.
Matt Panesh’s performance started off with an enthusiastic greeting followed by readings of a few of his very well written poems. His demonstrated talent began to diminish as the show progressed. Our group became extremely offended with his graphic description of his various sexual conquests. This segment seemed to go on and on and on…… Sexual explicity usually does not offend but I felt that his words and actions seemed to serve no other purpose than to shock his audience. That it certainly did. With the exception of two tables, the majority of the crowd seemed to feel as we did.
Once this segment of his show was over he moved into reading a few more of his poems.
In Matt’s defense, he is a gifted poet who shows potential for performing.
- SRJS
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2008 11:11 am
Re: Disappointed
I adore the Monkey Poet. Once again he’s taken us far beyond London, Ontario, with his fluid rhythm and sharp humour. His struggle to exist in a culture that infuriates him fascinates me — a voice for those of us who experience similar frustrations and silently fume. Congratulations Matt.The show is about the UK, particularly life in Manchester. Evidently talking about sex, religion, and politics is more acceptable there than it is here. But what else is the Fringe for if not to push us? 4 of us caught the same show last night, and none of us were offended. I thought the audience’s response was extremely positive, probably because I thought the show was hilarious. Maybe SRJS’s take on others’ reactions comes from the same place.
- beesmom
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2008 5:51 pm
Re: Disappointed
I thought the Monkey Poet’s show was fantastic…. once again. His expression of opinion regarding the state of things in the UK was hilarious, poingnant, and well delivered.I can see where a few people might be uncomfortable with the graphic stories about sex, but the majority of the room being uncomfortable is not the sense I had. I cannot say this for certain… from my seat I could not see most of the audience, but I definitely registered a lot of laughter at all jokes. The entire audience was given, democratically, an opportunity for the show to go in a direction that they were comfortable with. The answer, from my vantage point, seemed to be a resounding YES to the “dirty” and graphic subject matter. I thought The Monkey Poet showed great tact in knowing when to leave this subject matter and return to more comfortable stories.
Without having taken a poll after the show, I can not speak, or give an opinion for, 100 other people that saw the same show I did, but I would definitely recommend The Monkey Poet as a ‘must see’.
- magnum
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2008 10:22 am
It’s true that it’s raunchy.
I do have to say, I found the stories pretty raunchy. I personally didn’t think they added anything to the show, I think Matt has enough with his poetry and witty banter. But he tried something, and there are those out there who might think the stories were superb. I still think it’s worth it to see his other stuff (and make your own judgements on the raunchy bits).
- kiwi
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2008 1:47 pm
Re: Disappointed
I agree it is graphic and some people looked uncomfortable. But I expected this show, and well, if a person didn’t want to hear it they shouldn’t have been there. A considerable part of the show is political, angry and poignant. Seeing him last year and again tonight, I think it is not inaccurate to describe Matt as a Romantic, in the truest sense, in spite of his crude and acerbic amusements. I would sit down for a beer or two with him anytime.
- ARK
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2008 10:38 pm
Last year I missed this performer, and this year I got to see him. Now let me tell you, Matt Panesh is a wonderful poet and cynic tied into one and I am sadenned to know I have only seen him once.Matt Panesh jumps from topic to topic in the way that captivates and keeps the audience engaged. He goes from bawdy silly humour to heartfelt political statesments without missing a beat. His style of poetry changes as well to prevent rythmic boredom often associated with poetry.
Yes, he did read one or two poems from a cheat sheet, but when he admits to recently writing them, it is forgivable. The Fringe is THE place to try out new material and Matt Panesh hit a home run with this stuff!
NOW Magazine 2/4
Reviewed by: Tara-Michelle ZiniukFunny guy Matt Panesh is pissed off about everything: war, religion, political correctness, giving head. This crass punk poetry might go over at an open mic, but without structure, this talent show-appropriate mishmash of spoken word and song flops.
BLOG T.O (WINNER BLOG T.O. FRINGE PICK)
(reviewed by Megan Mooney)Okay, I’ll admit it, this one surprised me. I’m not normally one to go in for poetry, but I LOVED this show. The energy of Matt Panesh is completely infectious. Which is doubly impressive considering what a small audience he had when I was there. Unfortunately, with the fringe sometimes a great show goes unnoticed (although, admittedly, usually due to a show not being very good at publicizing itself), I worry that it will be the case with this one. It really shouldn’t be.
Matt is bitter, he’s angry, but mostly he’s personable and hilarious. The poems play more like monologues than what I think of as poems, that man on stage is acting, not just doing a ‘poetry reading’. Now, if you’re not comfortable with the word fuck then I’d steer clear of this one, since it is a large component of the play, but if you can handle some (a lot) of swearing then I suggest you get yer butt over there before he’s left the country and you’ve missed your chance.
EYE WEEKLY AUDIENCE RESPONSE REVIEW
“Sorry for keeping you awake
When you do an early show in the run to a crowd of 10 it is your chance to blow people away and make people sorry they missed it. In this case the performer instead talked about the small crowd and used it as a crutch to lollygag around with no passion for the next 55. When the audience was asked “do you like prog music?” there was not a peep. “That happens everywhere” said the actor. Maybe thats a hint that you, who is the last remaining person on earth who likes prog, should NOT then do 3 prog songs during the show. Sorry mate, go see Jem Rolls to see how its done.Snout”
EYE WEEKLY ONLINE RESPONSEVery Entertaining
Who knew that I liked poetry?! Very likeable and entertaining show - especially when you agree wholeheartedly with his anti-Bush, anti-religion, and anti-hate views. Go see it!Mooney on Theatre Review
Okay, so, lets just get things started here by saying… GO TO THIS SHOW. Seriously. It’s a wonderful thing to behold.
Whether you agree with Panesh’s views or not, his passion and energy are infectious. Plus, the whole thing is bloody hilarious.
I debated about whether I should put a warning about ’strong language’ after the jump. I decided I would, because if you can’t deal with ’strong language’ you’re not going to enjoy this show, so you may as well skip the rest of the write-up.
Now, onto the bad words…
The best shows always seem to have have a caveat, the caveat for this one is that it’s not for the faint of heart. If you’re not good with words like fuck, and cocksucker, this show isn’t for you. In fact many of the poem titles include the use of some variation of the word fuck, and cocksucker makes an appearance in a title too.
If you can handle the language (it’s only words after all) then I can’t recommend this enough. As I mentioned in my blogTO review, I’m generally not so much a poetry person, so I was a bit trepidatious walking into this production. Panesh quickly won me over though. His poems were more like mini monologues. He was acting them out, not just reciting them.
Basically, funny and smart get me every time. Add in passionate and socially conscious, well, I just swoon. And, just to make it *that* much more impressive, that passion and energy came across, even though there was an exceptionally small audience (always something that’s hard to work with).
So, to recap…
Matt is bitter, he’s angry, but mostly he’s personable and hilarious. It’s poetry, but it’s acting. He’s, well, not so politically correct - but that just makes it more fun.
This all brings us back to where we started… GO TO THIS SHOW.
NUVO MAGAZINE, INDY
Stand-Up Monkey Poet
Four stars
Matt Panesh Manchester, England
Phoenix TheatreBeneath Matt Panesh’s unabashedly raunchy exterior beats a heart in search of common human decency. Whether he’s sending up prog rock, celebrating a morning wank or excoriating Blair, Bush and the world’s supposedly great religions, Panesh does a splendid job of turning his performance space into a bullshit-free zone. Go and see him; you’ll want to buy him a pint afterward. - DH
Indy Auditions : Stand Up! Monkey Poet
Panesh (who prefers to be called Monkey Poet) bills this offering as rude, crude, and thoroughly offensive. Indeed, last night some audience members left early and asked for refunds. Tonight he stopped the show at the top and offered all an opportunity to leave then - none did.
Offense is more likely to be taken for political or religious reasons, as he rakes conservative politicos and organized religion several times. But the quote from the Canon Emeritus of Manchester Cathedral (”very moral”) is certainly correct. Monkey Poet knows what he thinks is right and proper, and if he sees public figures acting in other ways, he calls them out.
The poetry is marvelous. Mostly rhyming, the construction is tight and often brilliant. He enunciates clearly enough that (except when singing) his strong British accent does not hamper understanding (when combined with guitar chords, it’s another matter, but there were only three songs in the set). When he comes to a term of British jargon, he steps out of the poem, succinctly explains the term, and steps back into the poem without missing a beat.
I made notes on more than twenty individual pieces, but the pace is breakneck, the laughs are frequent, and the principles being expounded are admirable and mind-expanding. It’s a tour-de-force performance, the best show I have seen so far in this festival. -TB
IndyAuditions-Review by: Hope BaughMatt Panesh, also known as the “Stand-Up Monkey Poet,” brought his outrageous and hilarious one-man show from Manchester, England to the Indy Fringe Festival this year. He will be the first to tell you that four people asked for their money back the first night.
Those four people have a right to their opinions, of course, but the rest of us are glad that he made it here to the Midwest. I know that I will never think of poetry in the same way again. Or stand-up comedy, for that matter.
Matt’s poems, and his energetic delivery of them, fearlessly convey Matt’s take on the world. George and Tony appear often!
Matt also shares his take on love and sex: “A lot of people don’t put who they really are up front” and so they run into problems. I had to laugh when he said, “I woke up this morning and had a wank. American audiences know what that means, right?” I admit that I found his candor very appealing.
He also shares his take on religion. He follows a caustic criticism of organized religions with a poem-story about his true-life experience of God’s love. I found this even more appealing.
Somehow, throughout his biting and funny show, Matt conveys a generosity of spirit that is truly heart-warming. And, it is not just because he offers cunnilingus demonstrations to any woman who is not sure she knows what the word means.
I saw his show twice, and both times he mentioned a Manchester poet, Dike Omeje. Omeje was known for his “Big Bad Flow” poem, a reversed version of the story of the Big Bad Wolf. He died unexpectedly of cancer in January of this year. Matt said that the Manchester poets are keeping Dike Omeje’s memory alive by mentioning him in all of their readings and by encouraging people to Google his work.
Matt gave a shout-out to Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., too.
“Stand-Up Monkey Poet” closed at the 2007 Indy Fringe Festival on Sunday, September 2, but I hope that he will be back in 2008. I am looking forward to hearing more of his outrageous poems.
Stand-Up Monkey Poet, Matt Panesh, Manchester, England
Imagine you’re at a British pub, and one of the blokes at the bar suddenly puts down his drink, stands up and says one short poem after another. And imagine that he’s very good, and very funny, and makes you laugh and think, sometimes at the same time. Now imagine that it’s not at a pub, but at the Phoenix Theatre, and he’s also got a guitar, that he knows four chords on. I’ll drink to that.Panesh is brilliant, not only in his words but his delivery. His clever asides, stepping-out-stepping-in to a poem without breaking rhythm or our attention show his excellent command of the stage. He doesn’t play the guitar much (are all Phoenix plays required to have a guitar on the stage this year?) but four chords have rarely sounded so good. But be advised, the man speaks his mind and doesn’t care who he offends, content goes strongly to the sexual as well as political — for grownups only.
One last note, Panesh noted that one of his friends died suddenly earlier this year, and asked that those who love poetry help keep his name and works alive. The man’s name was Dike Omeje. A tribute is under the link. - John Belden, East of INDY
“Fantastic. While this show is certainly not for everyone, it is well worth seeing. The poems are very political and raunchy but are funny and witty to no end. I really can’t recommend this enough. He reminds me of a British Bill Hicks. This show is one of the hotter tickets and harder to get into but I strongly suggest doing so if you can.” Wendy Carson
Hugely Popular - Saturday’s show had to use standing room to accommodate everyone that wanted to see the show. Let’s face it, recitation of rhyme with an English accent is charming, even when it’s done by by a regular bloke from Manchester spouting material that is anything but Shakespeare. Provocative and edgy, the Poet doesn’t pull any punches, yet his accent may still convince you that you are experiencing high culture.
CALGARY FRINGE 07
Stand up, Monkey Poet!
Stand up, Calgary, and put your hands together for the only homo erectus from across the
transatlantic gap to set foot in our fine Rocky Mountains during this year’s Fringe! The
lyrical speak of this guttural storyteller may not be for the weak of heart, but if you can
stomach a good *uck and find the humour found at the bottom of a Corona, you are in for
a treat. Matt Panesh’s intelligent comedic styling leaves the audience members laughing
out loud while examining the societal systems and struggles of the populous politicians
and the low-brow single white male in the most politically incorrect of ways.SAN FRANCISCO FRINGE 07Reviewer: He who shall not be named
5 Stars
Take the in your face style of Lenny Bruce. Add the intelligence of Eddie Izzard. Mix in the raw emotion and outrage towards a dark unyeilding world of Allan Ginsberg. A dash of George Carlin’s comic timing. A pinch of Robin Williams’ energy. And you have MONKEY POET STAND-UP!Reviewer: Miz Rowdy
5 Stars
“Monkey Poet Stand Up!” is AWESOME!!! This performer needs all the support he can get after having a trash can of bottles thrown at him on stage (whoever did that needs to be shot). One of my favorite Fringe shows I’ve seen, his poetry his witty, raw, touching, and insightful. Got to love a guy who drinks on stage, he makes you feel like you’re hanging out with him in some pub in England. Cheers!Reviewer: Mr. Waldorf
5 Stars
I completely and enthusiastically endorse “Monkey Poet Stand-up!” at the Exit. It’s a solo show featuring Manchester-born-bred-and-accented Matt Pradesh mixing poems, songs and anecdotes in an absolutely hilarious mixture. As he walks on the stage, two or three beers in hand, he says “You do know you’ve come to a poetry show, right? No fooking refunds!”. His poems are short, pithy rhymes on sex, religion, politics using profanity and a caustic wit to keep the crowd laughing and clapping. The performance last night was bizarrely punctuated by one furious heckler, who might have been a laughable afterthought when he stormed out (after interrupting the show to shout at Pradesh), but he came storming back in and threw a full garbage can (with multiple beer bottles in it) at the performer (over the heads of audience members). The guy had to be forcibly ejected by festival staff.But hey, when the performer can get a strong reaction out of an audience member, even negative, he must be doing something right. Pradesh was a little shaken but kept going, kept making the rest of the (quite appreciative) crowd laugh, and ended on a great high. He walked off to a standing ovation at the end.
Early candidate for Best of the Fringe. He was also the toast of the opening night party after the strange escapade with the heckler.
Play: Monkey Poet Stand Up
Reviewer: Rachel
4 Stars
Matt has developed a show so well put together, and ACTUALLY FUNNY that I was engaged the full hour! He hits on topics of religion, sex and illness so there is something different to relate to all the time. You’re never bored for a second. Poetry is an art form not explored too often anymore it is refreshing to hear and see someone put it out there and show the world. - In the performance I saw there was a disturbance by and angry audience member and I just have to say Matt held his composure on stage SO well and kept the audience in his grasp even though I am sure he was shaken he DIDN’T let it show which, to me at least is a sign of a good actor. - Also he thanks his tech crew DURING his show MULTIPLE times how RAD is that? This show is a must see!
Play: monkey poet
Reviewer: tom
4 Stars
bold, unapologetic, a spirited offering by this iconoclastic lad from manchester, i loved his rough style, politically incorrect rhymes, scruffy appearance and his smiles in the face of projectiles launched from uptight san francisco audience members. pure fringe, pure delight, you should go but don’t take your republican grandma or your childrenPlay: The Big Baby ’s Trashcan-Throwing FreakOut
Reviewer: Lena & Chris
1 Star
If only we could give zero stars to the big baby who inexplicably freaked out during the wonderful Monkey Poet Stand Up! and threw a trashcan full of bottles at the performer, potentially harming the performer and the audience. It’s one thing to heckle or walk out if something’s not your cup of tea or strikes a nerve; it’s another thing to cause potential physical harm to others in public because you have a meltdown. F&%*ing loser!Play: Monkey Poet Stand Up!
Reviewer: Lena & Chris
4 Stars
Clever, funny, amusing. This poet is a great performer. Liked the “stepping out of the poem now” asides, as well as the caustic humor mixed in with a charming gentleness.Play: Monkey Poet Stand-Up
Reviewer: Emily Morwen
5 Stars
So honest, charming, hilarious and incredibly intelligent is this gifted performer, writer, poet. He is edgy and could at first seem offensive (I’m guessing because I saw opening night when a man stormed out and threw a glass-filled trash can on stage!) but if you listen to the whole piece instead of simply picking out trigger words, there is no doubt that this man is giving us something that is insightful, honest, sad, entertaining, hilarious-cause-its-true, an above all carrying an undeniable message of peace . On top of being a wonderful show, the way that he handled the “assault” was so graceful and made the audience love him even more. But all outbursts aside, he deserved the standing ovation that he got! See this talent before he goes back to England!Play: Monkey Poet Stand Up
Reviewer: Holly Up On Poppy
5 Stars
I saw this the night of the infamous Troll Trashbin Toss (some dude got very upset about who-knows-what, screamed a few “Fuck Yous” at our MPSU and then hurled a trash bin full of beer bottles at the stage) and have to first give kudos to Matt Panesh, our MPSU, for putting his balls on the line to receive such a crazy reaction! Other than that, the poetry is, as promised and CLEARLY outlined in his description, not for the faint of heart (take note, trashbin-tossing trolls). The poems are not long so if you have a short attention span, this is your show. Panesh tackles subjects that are not new to the stage, but does so with a brevity and hence a barbed wit. See it if you like Lenny Bruce or wished Bill Hicks had a sensitive side.Play: Monkey Poet Stand Up!
Reviewer: Mia Paschal
5 Stars
I thought that the “Very Moral” pull quote in Matt Panesh’s show description was possibly a joke. But it isn’t, because he is, fiercely so, and he does address and attack subjects from sex to love to plastic surgery to politics with sly, sharp, scathing humor. Also, he has a wonderful rapport with the audience, and a strong command of the stage. Overall, a brilliant show.PS. His smooth recovery after an unhinged audience member hurled invective and a garbage can with beer bottles onstage - not a staged gimmick, unfortunately - was impressive. Luckily no one was hurt, and luckily, the show went on. I’d give Matt another five stars for showing true grace (he didn’t even swear at the guy, much less go after him) and professionalism.
Play: Monkey Poet Stand up
Reviewer: Brett
5 Stars
5 stars! 2 Thumbs up! No thrown bottles!
Help Matt Panesh overcome that Monkey Poet
Stand Up on his back by going to see his show (his therapist says it’s highly therapeutic for him to be doing FRINGE)by going to see his show. But be warned - watching him jones from Monkey Poet Stand Up on stage is not pretty. Lots of poetry,
stand up comedy, music, fully clothed & intelligent women (all 2 of them), & trained monkeys that will steal the money out of your wallets/purses when the lights go down. No this is not Matt Panesh writing his own review, but a real person
(I know what you’re thinking, “what is reality?”) who’s actually seen his show. So get off your dead ass, pony up your 9$ & go! Okay I’m done.Play: Monkey Poet Stand-up!
Reviewer: John
4 Stars
A performer well at ease on-stage and very matter-of-fact about his art and person. Matt’s poems about sex and death are bold, funny and engaging. And while the songs and political-themed poems do not offer quite as much of an original voice, they are not without merit and were received warmly by the audience.Play: Monkey Poet Stand-Up
Reviewer: J. Lee Vocque (Barroom Philosophers)
5 Stars
I was just bummed out I didn’t have a trash can to throw. He was outstanding. One of my two favorites of this year’s Fringe Fest so far. Besides being a terrific poet, he is a very funny individual and can play a mean guitar (all four chords and all). This is one of THE don’t miss shows of the Fringe.Play: Monkey Poet Stand Up
Reviewer: Rick
5 Stars
GREAT SHOW! Funny, funny, funny, then he hits you with something real and personal (or political). Passionate and powerful, this guy is an amazing performer- I’d go to watch him eat toast.Play: Monkey Poet Stand Up
Reviewer: yawza
5 StarsThe most fun I’ve had at the Fringe , even without any bottle throwing incidents.I felt more energized after his performance than any thing else I’ve seen and this show has moved to the top of my list. Definite Best of the Fringe and definite must see show.
