On 1 July, I was lucky enough to get some tickets to see the press preview of a show that has arrived in London from an ultra-successful tour of America and which is now based at the Arts Theatre in Great Newport Street WC2.
   I had never before been to the Arts Theatre, but was pleasantly surprised. I thought it would be small and cramped, but it was a bit like entering Dr Who’s Tardis!
   Jay Johnson: The Two And Only is a one-man show that takes you through the life of Jay Johnson, his entry into and his life of ventriloquism. Along the way and in a very entertaining manner with Jay’s own brand of American humour, it showed the enthralled audience how ventriloquism began and progressed through the centuries.
   His humour is probably more subtle than the English variety and a little knowledge of American politics is useful. Having said that, this show is very amusing. So much so that in the US, the show won a Tony at the 2007 ceremony.
   Put together, you have a real evening’s entertainment. I particularly liked his monkey and tennis ball dummies and especially the felt drawing pen (please don't erase me). You end up watching the dummies as he convinces you that they have come to life and are talking to you. No Archie Andrews syndrome here as throwing your voice really comes of age!
   Jay Johnson began performing at eleven years old when he discovered his natural ability to make a cousin’s
 

DACS TONY IN PLANE LANDING SCARE!

A month in publishing sometimes seems like a long time. This time exactly 4 weeks ago, Call Sign wrote of the celebrations surrounding the silver wedding anniversary of Dial-a-Cab driver Antony Hizer (E63) and his wife Lauris.
   In addition to a party for the family, Tony and Lauris decided to also take the opportunity to have an 8-day Italian break. What they hadn’t planned on was a lucky escape for the pair of them as their flight attempted to land at Forli Airport! Antony takes up the story…
   "We were coming in to land. I’ve flown enough times to know what a landing feels like and this one didn’t feel right. As we came in over the rooftops approaching the runway, I could see that we were travelling too fast! I could feel my adrenaline pumping away and whilst it was happening too quickly to feel fear, it was hardly a comfortable feeling.
   "Then when we were around 200 feet away from touching down, there was a sudden roar of the engines and we took off again. Lauris, who’d been sleeping, woke up with a start and asked what was happening! By then we had circled and were coming in again, but this time you could see and feel the difference. It was the speed you’d expect and we made a perfect landing. Nevertheless, passengers who hadn’t said a word to each other for the whole trip suddenly started talking. Then an announcement came over the speakers apologising for the forced take-off and blamed ‘animals on the runway’. No one will ever convince me that it was anything other than probably someone training in the cockpit and not doing it very well!"
   Will the experience stop Antony from flying again?
   "Of course not," he said, "it was just one of those things!"

doll come to life. This was the start of a career of using his imagination to entertain. In high school he produced and starred in his own television show, which led to him performing in various shows across Texas.
   Jay’s TV credits are many. In the 70s he starred as schizophrenic Chuck and Bob alongside Billy Crystal in the classic television comedy SOAP. Most recently he has appeared on the David Letterman Show in addition to the telecast of the 2007 Tony Awards where he was presented with his award by Eddie Izzard.
   For a relaxing and humorous evening’s entertainment, I recommend you go and see this show. Jay Johnson is an amazing ventriloquist whose show travels through two very quick hours without wasting time on an intermission, so you don’t arrive home too late if there is an early morning start the next day. 
   Jay Johnson is at the Arts Theatre until September 28 - Box office on 0844 847 1608.

Tom Whitbread