John Norris Brings Absurdity on a Euro-Tour with mr Chonkers

Comedian John Norris is taking his critically acclaimed show mr Chonkers on a UK and European tour in 2025. Known for his surreal, boundary-pushing comedy, Norris has developed a cult following with his uniquely absurd and unpredictable stage presence. With stops in cities including Edinburgh, London, Amsterdam, and Paris, the show offers a chaotic and entertaining ride through the mind of one of comedy’s most intriguing figures.

theQR caught the show when it hit Edinburgh’s Monkey Barrel earlier this month, leading me to say, “Strap in, this journey through oblique comedy, messed-up poetry and preposterous drama is quite a trip.”

Where Does John Norris End and mr Chonkers Begin?

Norris admits that mr Chonkers was never supposed to be a character in the first place.

“When I began making the show I wanted to pick a name that would make people cringe a bit. To stand out. Something kind of embarrassing to see on a poster and to tell your friends you’re going to see a show that’s called that. A show that either has to be ‘pretty good’ or ‘a total nightmare.’ So I picked mr Chonkers.”

What he didn’t expect was that people would actually start calling him mr Chonkers.

“I feel stupid saying this but it never occurred in my tiny brain that people would start calling ME that. Never meant it to be a character. Doesn’t matter because it is one now.”

He describes the persona as an “extremely exaggerated version of myself.” Norris took some of the personality traits he’s least proud of—“jealousy, fear, caring about what other people think, delusion, anger, arrogance, self-pity”—and amplified them to absurd levels. “I turned it up 10,000% but in a really light, stupid way. That’s what mr Chonkers is. I promise that it’s not as serious as that description.”

“A show that either has to be ‘pretty good’ or ‘a total nightmare.’ So I picked mr Chonkers.“

The Power of the Moustache

One of Norris’s most defining features is his moustache, a physical trait he insists is integral to his comedic powers.

“Nothing like a moustache for a comedian. It’s a kind of shortcut. I just have to walk out on stage and everyone gets it. They immediately know ‘This person is a complete idiot and it’s okay to laugh at them.’”

He jokes that without it, his face is simply too good-looking to be funny. “Whenever I am on stage, sans stache, no one laughs. Just a thick tension in the air. Because my face is too attractive. They don’t know what to think. Too hot. They are confused and a bit in shock because they know their lives will never be the same after seeing my hot face. I keep the moustache on to save lives. Happy to be of service.”

How Dangerous Is mr Chonkers?

Despite mr Chonkers being described as a growing movement with a cult following, Norris is quick to reassure audiences that he poses no threat whatsoever.

“Dangerous!?! Not at all! I am incredibly safe. Reasonable. Everything I do is government-approved. I was actually created by the CIA. A Psy-Op. I am bread and circuses. A Distraction.”

With tongue firmly in cheek, he continues: “When people come to my show they are not at a protest. They are not thinking of the Digital Panopticon that is encircling us all. Tickets on sale now!”

Ideas Too Weird for the Stage?

Given the absurdity of mr Chonkers, it’s reasonable to wonder what ideas have been left on the cutting room floor. Norris has at least one in mind.

“Ah… There’s a few contenders here. I had a show idea that was titled ‘I’m A Chai Knees Man.’ That one is pretty easy to understand and writes itself, really. Maybe that’ll be my next one.”

“Whenever I am on stage, sans stache, no one laughs. Just a thick tension in the air. Because my face is too attractive.“

A Political Future for mr Chonkers?

If mr Chonkers were to run for public office, his campaign slogan is already decided:

“If This is It Then We May As Well Have Some Fun And Get Me In There”

With a surreal approach, a signature moustache, and a growing (and deserved) reputation for unpredictable and wildly entertaining performances, mr Chonkers looks set to bring a mix of chaos and hilarity to stages across the UK and beyond.

Images: John Norris in mr Chonkers – provided by Impatient Productions