Reviewed Wednesday 29 February 2012.
Presented by Mary Tobin Presents.
To start with, I was a tad sceptical. I had never seen any of Eddie Ifft’s stand-up before, and he’s hardly the first white, male, heterosexual comedian whose gimmick is equal opportunity offensiveness. However, while some comedians hide behind that schtick as a cop out for unfunny meanness (Jimmy Carr, I’m looking at you), Ifft is actually hilarious. His tongue is very firmly planted in cheek from start to finish and there’s always a clear sense that he never actually takes himself seriously.
Ifft is one of those American comedians who seems to spend almost as much time in Australia as he does in his home country and it’s not surprising he and this country get along so well. His brand of comedy fits the Aussie sense of (intelligent) humour like a glove; cheekily provocative and endearingly likable, with plenty of local references and generous swearing.
Ifft is the only non-South Australian comedian I’ve ever seen who is willing to make more than a passing Adelaidean joke or two. His observances of our city are spot on. Finally, someone has noticed the weird way we queue for buses! Fortunately, the Adelaide-specific cracks he makes (even the obligatory murder-based ones) always feel more like Ifft is laughing with, rather than at us. Of course, that makes them all the more amusing.
The only problem is that some of the jokes about current American politics could get a little lost in translation. However, that is the audience’s loss. For anyone actually following the Republican nominations, they’re pure gold.
Eddie’s World is the show to see if you like your comedy very blue, but also very clever.
Eddie Ifft in Eddie’s World – Adelaide Fringe
Venue: The Arts Theatre, 53 Angas St, Adelaide.
Season: 26 Feb – 10 March.
Tickets: Early bird $24-32.50, full $27-36, conc $27-33, rush tix $15.
Duration: 1 hour.
Bookings: Fringetix via 1300 FRINGE, outlets or online.
More News
