EdFringe Review: Daniel Muggleton: You May Be White, I May Be Crazy

Daniel Muggleton has long been a favourite of the QR household. Droll the max in his, I think it’s fair to say, iconic red adidas tracksuit, he has never knowingly taken a prisoner. However, since his last trip to the Fringe, Daniel has assisted in the production of a baby.

I think it may have softened him up a little. There is only one cocaine joke in this set, and he barely flirts with socially sensitive landmines, with a few laudable exceptions. Surprising for a show entitled, ‘You May Be White, I May Be Crazy.’

He’s still a very funny man, don’t get me wrong, and his genial air of menace when working an audience remains intact. His bits on the male relationship to therapy, and the recent age verification laws regarding this internet make for classic Muggleton observations. His lengthy table and chair analogy for his marriage might get a bit stretched, but it still provides some cracking call-backs. There’s nothing wrong with Daniel Muggleton’s technique.

His timing also remains as sharp and unrushed as always, as does his wonderfully dry delivery. These talents elevate tales, such as almost choking to death thanks to social niceties, above the merely chuckle-worthy. That said, his bits on new fatherhood, and modern dating feel a little by the numbers, with just a little Muggleton vinegar sprinkled on top.

I do suspect he’ll be a first rate compere for the ‘AC/DC: Australian Comedians / Dope Comedy’ showcase he hosts each night. Less need for material, just fresh subjects in the front row between the sets.

“Droll the max in his, I think it’s fair to say, iconic red adidas tracksuit, he has never knowingly taken a prisoner.“

Because he gets a little closer to the Dan Muggleton of old when dealing with the crowd. I imagine he can demonise any profession, and more power to his elbow. Salutations too for his unique look at immigration, and the problem with Americans, particularly their fetishistic relationship with their political classes. A potted history lesson in just how little Australians care for theirs, offers up a couple of super punchlines in particular.

His ‘footnote’ schtick also holds huge promise – kneeling down to explain that his previous routine is indeed a joke, and not to be taken as his actual opinions. If his set spent a little more time near the edge, those moments of explanation would only be funnier.

However, hope springs eternal, and before he signs off, he tosses in some classic observations on the sexual dimorphism of ‘knowing where one is’. This is grade A material, and worthy of a footnote, though in this case, he may actually mean it.

So whilst I don’t think this is Daniel Muggleton at his ‘is it OK to laugh so hard at this?’ best, he remains a first rate comedian. Maybe his incoming ‘Terrible Twos’ era will knock the good will out of him. A critic can hope…