New Zealand has seen a boon in social media comedians in recent years, thanks to the increasing prevalence of TikTok and Instagram and all their potentials, but few have had the same career progression
Comedy Festival review: Inside James Mustapic, James Mustapic
James Mustapic. Photo / Supplied
While it sounds daft on paper, it proves to be an effective framing device, allowing Mustapic to cover a lot of ground – from last year's lockdown and his family to relationships and his infamous "Repressed Memories" – while still infusing everything with his trademark sense of humour and connecting to his opening set.
The slideshow-show is a staple of The Basement, but whereas a lot of comedians use it as a background tool, Mustapic has incorporated visual elements into almost every joke, and it succeeds in a way few of those other shows can ever hope to achieve. Having found fame online with this style of comedy, it makes sense for Mustapic to play to his strengths, and after an hour with him and his laptop it's clear he has it down to a fine art.
There is a madness to Inside James Mustapic, infused with millennial cultural references and plenty of MS-Paint level effects, but Mustapic has crafted a very intricate hour oozing with callbacks and references that adds to every punchline. It helps that he is a charismatic and relatable performer and it's easy to follow him down this madcap tech-infused rabbit hole.
The storyline to this show is insane – it builds towards Mustapic having a multimedia battle with "Straight James" – but every element works in surprising harmony to make an incredibly tight show that lets Mustapic highlight his strengths. The final moments are moving without feeling forced, and showcases a range from Mustapic few of his fans would have had the chance to see online.
Mustapic has perfected this niche and made it his own, and you don't need to be a psychic to know he has big things ahead of him.
What: Inside James Mustapic, James Mustapic
Where: Basement Theatre, until May 22