Helgi Steinar: Cold As Icelandic

• Marissa Burgess
• 7 August 2018

This article is from 2018.

Recalling strange gigs and dishing out curious perspectives

Is there anywhere this Icelandic comedian hasn't been? Is there a language he can't speak or an accent he won't try? Helgi Steinar is certainly a multi-talented and multi-faceted comic and all of this travel has provided him with a considerable amount of perspective. Living for many years in Minnesota, he can see the many issues with America, and he's rejected staying at home to marry a cousin in favour of touring with stand-up. Steinar has certainly had some odd audiences: he once played a Chinese-speaking comedy set in a hotel room belonging to two roaring drunk Aussies. You can't top that for a tough gig.

A big advocate of thinking for yourself, his outsider perspective makes for plenty of out-of-the-box ideas as he offers his views on marriage (including a great analogy for giving away the bride) and an interesting and possibly workable idea for world peace.

This short show (he has his friend Thor provide a bit of support with an admirable ten minutes at the top) feels like Steinar is just dipping his toe into the Fringe this year. Nothing wrong with that, but it would be great to see him try a full hour and get properly stuck in.

Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire, until 26 Aug (not 13, 20), 2.10pm, donations.