LEADING THE TROUPE AND MOVING THE STORY ALONG WAS THE BARBER OF SEVILLE HIMSELF, FIGARO, PLAYED WITH GREAT CHARM BY BARITONE JOHNATHON KIRBY. HE DELIVERED SOME OF THE FASTEST LINES OF THE OPERA CLEARLY AND PITCH-PERFECT, AND HIS “LARGO AL FACTOTUM” WAS A POWERHOUSE INTRODUCTION. KIRBY’S TAKE ON FIGARO EARNED MOST OF THE NIGHT’S LAUGHTER, AND HIS TOTAL COMMAND OF THE STAGE MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO LOOK AWAY FROM HIM—EVEN WHEN IMPORTANT DIALOGUE WAS HAPPENING CENTRE STAGE AND HE WAS ‘HIDDEN’ OFF TO THE SIDE.
JOHNATHON KIRBY IS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR AS FIGARO, WITH VIRILITY IN HIS SOUND AND EXHAUSTIVE ENERGY IN HIS MOVEMENTS. HE HAS THE ABILITY, LIKE ANY GREAT FIGARO, TO STEAL WHATEVER SCENE HE'S IN, AND HIS COMIC TIMING IS TOP-NOTCH; IN THIS ROLE, HIS SINGING IS THE BEST I'VE HEARD (INCLUDING HIGH G'S FOR DAYS). KIRBY IS A GREAT FOIL TO KEVIN MYERS AS ALMAVIVA, THE LOVESICK COUNT WHO HAS ABSOLUTELY ZERO GAME, BUT AT LEAST KNOWS TO ENLIST THE BARBER FOR HELP GETTING ROSINA.
PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF: 15 JUN, 2018 OPERA GOING TORONTO - IAN RITCHIE
APPEARING AS SEVILLE’S PREMIER GO-TO BARBER, BARITONE JOHNATHON KIRBY MUGS AND POSTURES WITH A GLORIOUS LACK OF SHAME, ENDLESSLY ENERGETIC WITH MORE THAN A TOUCH OF HEROISM RESIDING AT THE TOP OF HIS SWEEPING RANGE. GIFTED WITH INFALLIBLE TECHNIQUE AND AN UNERRING SENSE OF COMIC TIMING, KIRBY IGNITES THE EVENING’S VOCAL FIREWORKS WITH A SIZZLING LARGO AL FACTOTUM THAT LEAVES LISTENERS CHEERING.
PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF: 15 JUN, 2018 LUDWIG VAN TORONTO - JOSEPH SO
TOP KUDOS TO BARITONE JOHNATHON KIRBY AS A BEAUTIFULLY SUNG AND ENGAGING FIGARO. HIS VOICE AND FACE REMIND ME OF A YOUNGER CANADIAN BARITONE PETER BARRETT. NIMBLE OF FOOT, KIRBY MOVED VERY WELL AND HELD THE STAGE BEAUTIFULLY WITH HIS COMIC ANTICS. I ALSO LIKE THE FACT THAT HE SANG “LARGO AL FACTOTUM” WONDERFULLY, ACTING UP A STORM BUT WITHOUT RESORTING TO THE TIRESOME FALSETTO FOR CHEAP LAUGHS LIKE SO MANY BARITONES.
DISSOCIATIVE ME, Loose Tea musical theatre August 2015
PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF: 18 AUG 2015 MOONEY ON THEATRE – DANA EWACHOW
JOHNATHON KIRBY, PLAYING THE ROLE OF MARGARITA’S BROTHER STEPHEN, HAD A RICH BARITONE THAT CONTRASTED HIS CHARACTER’S AGGRAVATING PERSONALITY.
PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF: 18 AUG 2015 OPERA GOING TORONTO – IAN RITCHIE
HTTP://OPERAGOTO.COM/DISSOCIATIVE-ME-REVIEW/
BARITONE JOHNATHON KIRBY VOICES A STRONG, MUSCULAR STEPHEN. HIS INVOLVEMENT AS MORAL AVENGER IN THE ACTION AND RICH MUSICAL FABRIC OF THE PIECE IS INTENSE. KIRBY NEVER FALTERS.
PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF: 18 AUG 2015 SCHMOPERA – GREG FINNEY
I PARTICULARLY ENJOYED HIS FEW INTERACTIONS WITH JOHNATHON KIRBY'S CHARACTER, STEPHEN, TO BE SOME OF MY FAVOURITE SINGING FROM THE BOYS…SPEAKING OF KIRBY, HIS HEROIC BARITONE SOUNDED GREAT IN THE SPACE AND ON THE SCORE. A HANDSOME MAN WITH AN EQUALLY HANDSOME VOICE. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND HEARING HIM AT YOUR NEXT OPPORTUNITY…
