Demetri Martin set a high standard for himself two years ago when he won the Perrier, and it seem as though he hasn’t been able to live up to it since.
Since his controversial victory in 2003, Martin has changed from a very shy, intriguing character, who, in his slightly obsessive compulsive way, managed to warm people’s hearts, to a slightly cocky, slightly bored version of his former self and this isn’t a great look.
At one point during his performance, he mentions that he didn’t really want to do another Fringe show and this is evident in his material. The material is by no means bad, as it is genuinely funny, but it feels like it’s all build up to a routine that doesn’t actually happen, leaving the audience stumbling bewilderedly out of the theatre wondering if they missed something. Unfortunately they didn’t.
Demetri Martin is a genuinely talented comedian (and musician, the musical pieces being strongest parts of the show) but he is much better than this and it seems that, if he really put his mind to it, he could be one of the strongest performers at the Fringe.
3/5
Becky Stone
