Vasily Djokavich: Russia's #1 State Approved Comedian

Rating:

Company:Morgan Cranny, Victoria

Genre:Play Comedy

Venue:22 MTYP (Richardson Hall)

PurchaseTickets

Ethnicity-based comedy created by thosenot of that ethnicity seems to be at a crossroads.While a whitecomicperforming as a visibleminorityisnow properly verboten,cross cultural mockeryespecially when done in good tastestill sitson the comedyshelf. But perhaps,with a looming expiry date.

• Winnipeg Fringe 2016: read our reviews

Morgan Crannywho is definitely not Russiandoes an impressive job convincing us otherwise.Hisnon-specific Russian accent is consistent andnot laidon too thick.Hislarge physical build and stiff demeanourplay into variousPolitburo-eraclichs.

Since Russian President VladimirPutinwentnostalgic for the "glory" of the former Soviet Union, here in the West,a Glasnost era of old school Cold War jokes has come upon us. Jokes whichapplyjust as well to today's Russian Federation.

Vasily Djokavichis a nesting doll of clichs.However, and it's a big however, Cranny (along with Fringe staple MikeDelamont)hascreated a pretty compelling two-dimensional comedyconfection.

By the end of the show,Djokavichseems like a real guy:pathetic sometimes evengets to pathos. Such is Cranny's commitment that when an audiencevolunteer, a charming woman,almost stole the show,Vasilykept his Soviet scowl intact.

Likethe Russia presented in this fast one hour show,there are many shortages but what is in bountiful supplyare laughs.