The untitled series began in 1999 with a 10 min performance
of 'Untitled no.1 - a lesson of two halves' at the Mercury
Theatre, Colchester, UK.
This developed in to a full length show of 3 unititled performance
and after, grew into a series of 12 short/mid length, small
scale performances and two full length shows (Untitled
no.___ and Untitled
4-8).
The Untitled series has been performed in galleries, theatres,
bars and living rooms all over the UK - including a performance
of Untitled no.___ at the Institute of Contemporary Arts,
London during the 2000 London Mardi Gras Festival.
"Jon Harris is on a misson to enrich your life.
It is DIY
for the soul." Mardi Gras Magazine
In 2004 the series finished with a fundraising performance
at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester .
UNTITLED NO.1 - A LESSON OF TWO
HALVES (1999)
Inspired by the poem 'Red'
by Kieran McGovern
Directed by
Jon Harris, Dawn Rose and assisted by
Penny Howe
This is a demonstration to end all demonstrations - you will never wear a red
ribbon the same, ever again.
Using some card, clothes pegs and wearing the ever present plastic mac, Unititled
no.1 rips apart a cultrual Icon to reconstruct it as a non-fashion accessory,
a sign of compassion and a pure theatrical device.
Funny, angry, rude, moving and almost a lecture, Untitled
one is the beginning of a journey into the memories of
a man who watch his friend fall and the ribbon take their place.
UNTITLED NO.2 - THE SHRINE(1999)
Inspired by a story by Kieran McGovern
Directed by Jon Harris, Dawn Rose and assisted by
Penny Howe
What do you do if you hate Barbra Streisand
and your partner loves her... and I mean, LOVES her.
You build a shrine to her and her wedding
of course.
Jon Harris recreates a shrine that was built in Kerian
MacGovern's house with all the feeling and emotions
it requires.
This is a tribute of sorts, but for someone who claims
not to like her very much - how come he knows so much
about her and manage to tell it all without missing
a beat?
Just a chair, a sheet, some flowers,
a photograph, a biography, a clothes peg and a shower
cap can show you everything you need to know.
UNTITLED NO.3 - CHRISTMAS (1999)
Inspired by a story by Kieran McGovern
Directed by Jon Harris, Dawn Rose and assisted by
Penny Howe
Based on the short biographical piece 'Changing Beds'
by Kieran McGovern, Untitled no.3 - Chirstmas illustrates
the relentless task of being the carer to a terminally
ill partner.
A body is built on a bed out of plastic shetting and
water and chirstmas is played out before your eyes
with the addition of a paper hat with piles and piles
of pills.
A trip to the bitter end with almost no talking and
only a single song on the radio, it asked how can it
be your one of your happiest day as well as your worst
- when relief takes over and there are no more sheets
to be changed.
UNTITLED NO.4 & 5 - THE FACE
AND THE BODY (2000)
Written and performed by Jon Harris
Directed by Jon Harris and Dawn Rose
A face lift is a very expensive process - emotionally
if anything else, but untitled 4 & 5 shows you have
to do it with some pegs, some cling-film, some black
Calvin Kleins and sellotape.
The side effects are instant and
the pain is just something you have to live with.
For the men in the audience Jon removes the
shame from a male tummy tuck to remove the beer belly
and with the help of a rolled-up sock, illustrates
a very intimate procedure that could benefit your self-confidence
10-fold.
The end result has to be seen to be believed!
UNTITLED NO.6 - THE SEARCH
FOR ORIGINALITY (2000)
Written and performed by Jon Harris
Directed by Jon Harris and Dawn Rose
Jon follows his original shrine to Streisand by creating
one to Madonna, who at the time was being lorded as
the new English royalty.
To do this, Jon uses contry music, a packet of Revels
and multiple images and photographs to ask whether
there is such a thing as a original idea by trying
to create his own.
He then throws it over to the audience to see if they
have even seen anything like it before... Of course
they have, but he has yet to feel dejected.
UNTITLED NO.7 - THE GIFT (2000)
Written and performed by Jon Harris
Directed by Jon Harris and Dawn Rose
People go through a great deal to change gender. From
the possiblitly of an alienated childhood, to the bizzarre
expectations and gender sterotypes
of medical staff, the transition and the operation
itself.
Following a research period with the transgendered
community of North Essex, Jon determined to show the
audience how differcult this is as a procedure.
Constantly
asking for a kiss from the audience (and usually being
rejected) Jon transforms himself with the help of a
gold dress and a pair of red shoes that are the highest
he has ever walked in...
The question is what does it teach him and you...
UNTITLED NO.8 - THE LIST (2000)
Written and performed by Jon Harris
Everybody has a past and every body has a past.
What would happen if you had to right this down on
a label and present to your present as a present.
What happens if you are the gift yourself and you just
bring the list with you.
Jon was surprised how big his label had be and how
much paper it took to turn himself into the gift.
A tender untitiled performance and the most personal
to date, this is about ripping yourself wide open.
Jon plans to launch other people's lists as soon as
they are brave enough to be send them to him.
UNTITLED NO.9 - 12 - HOLIDAY
(2001)
Written and performed by Jon Harris
Directed by Jon Harris and Dawn Rose
This performance premiered at the Mercury Theatre,
Colchester at their World AIDS Day Festival.
Jon transforms the floor into a hospital
room as he tells the story of someone going into hospital
for what could be the last time.
A film was made of this performance in 2007. Please
see that below.
