Comedy Festival 2018: Alex Edelman confronts Nazis and tribalism in Just For Us ★★★★

WONDERFULLY sharp and self-assured thoughts on tribalism from an exceptionally talented young American, Alex Edelman.

IT’S almost four years since Alex Edelman won the Best Newcomer award at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival, so it might be past time to be impressed by his assuredness. Still, this Boston-born comic’s technical and storytelling skills are a wonder to behold in someone not yet 30.

This year’s offering - his third in Melbourne - concerns itself with tribalism, white privilege and how people are seeking connections with those of a like mind in ever more performative (and dangerous) ways.

Alex Edelman in Just For Us.

Near the top he insists that he prefers dumb jokes to getting political, but what we end up with is a show well-suited to the age of outrage, where personal choices and statements are carefully categorised and opinions staunchly defended as fact.

The through-line is Edelman’s curious decision to attend a white supremacist gathering in New York, since, as per the tweet that alerted him to its existence, he’s “not ashamed of his #whiteness”.

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Edelman is emphatically Jewish, so attending a ‘Nazi’ meeting provides a compelling narrative that is admirably not played for farce. It’s the banality of proceedings – resembling any other meeting of colleagues or enthusiasts – that is all the more interesting and chilling.

Around this there are detours through his brother’s Winter Olympics efforts, working on the BAFTAs with Stephen Fry (and other royalty) as well as encounters with anti-vaxxers and intolerable hipsters. Some more relatable than others but all earn their keep.

Always a confident performer, Edelman manages to balance an unusual energy with charming politeness and employs some excellent physical touches to elevate some of his best lines along with occasional wild-eyed stares.

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He’s a people-pleaser but never at the expense of assertiveness, a remarkable mix to pull off and which inevitably leads to him becoming far more involved in the Nazi group’s admin than he ever expected to be.

For a new show this is remarkably well put together, with only an awkward start and a mildly muddled climax belying its early days. It’s not clear what Edelman’s ultimate message is here, which may be a refreshingly deliberate intention.

A well-crafted story with several belly laughs and some food for thought delivered by an exceptional talent is about all you can ask for. Recommended.

Alex Edelman, Just For Us

Greek Centre – Mykonos, until Apr 22.

comedyfestival.com.au