Fringe review: INFINITY MIRROR, Underbelly

Infinity Mirror, performed, written, and directed by Michael Kunze, is a wild, unpredictable ride that showcases Kunze's unique brand of physical comedy and eclectic themes. Taking on the alter-ego of Mitch Coony, a sandwich guy fed up with small roles, Kunze kicks off the show in an unconventional way—by tossing some ham around—and immediately draws the audience into his offbeat world.

Kunze asks us, "Do you want to hear a story?" From there, we’re taken on a surreal journey through the life of a young, aspiring actor who stumbles into a problematic mentorship with Tom Hanks. In Hanks' mansion, we discover a series of bizarre sex rooms, leading our protagonist to mount an audacious assault on Hollywood. Along the way, we're treated to absurd scenarios involving horses, boybands, and reality TV, all punctuated by an album's worth of insane songs and some very inventive audience participation.

From a song about his horse to tales of his vet series and outrageous sex parties with Tom Hanks, Kunze keeps the audience on their toes—his next move is always a surprise, and that unpredictability is precisely why you can’t look away. His physical comedy borders on slapstick, and it’s simply hilarious.

Just when you think the Fringe has shown you everything, Kunze drops a rap about hay fever and suddenly, you can’t imagine the world without it. His ability to recover when a joke doesn’t land, often by quickly delivering an even better one, makes you feel completely safe in his world.

The creativity and spontaneity required to pull off a show like this are impressive, making Infinity Mirror a must-see for those who enjoy comedy that’s as clever as it is chaotic.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Beatriz Do O

Infinity Mirror plays at Underbelly Cowgate until 25 Aug, with further info here.