German comedian Michael Mittermeier makes his début at the Fringe with a sell-out show, packed into an unfairly tiny venue.
The set is based around cultural commentary; Mittermeier shares his observations of people in their natural habitats, hence the 'safari' in the title. He has tailored his jokes carefully to fit his Scottish audience, poking fun at the Germans and English more than any other nationality.
Fast-paced and frenetic, Mittermeier prances about the stage with contagious energy, speaking so quickly that if you blink you'll miss the punchline. He has a fantastic stage presence, his camp mannerisms used for physical comedic effect. Mittermeier is very funny, delivering lines with impeccable timing, warm and self-deprecating. It's impossible not to laugh.
Co-produced by Eddie Izzard, the bar is set high and expectations are for risqué material. However, Mittermeier's routine is far from edgy, covering familiar cultural clichés. References to Hitler and the German occupation abound. Either Mittermeier is playing it safe for an unknown crowd, or the point of the show is to ironically exploit these stereotypes, pandering to the expectations a foreign audience. While his topics may not be the most original, his delivery and performance is faultless. Mittermeier weaves his material together somewhat forcibly, but not to the extent that it detracts from the enjoyment of the show. His cynical remarks on politics and global warming are priceless, proving that, contrary to popular belief, 'German Comedian' is not an oxymoron.
