Alex Jacob and Mihai Sebea: ‘Easterners’ Review by Alice Russo
“An East German and a Romanian walk onto a stage …”
What happens next is a truly memorable hour of comedy from two of Barcelona’s best ex-communist comrades.
Alex Jacob opens with a bang for his first ever split-hour show. Alex grew up in East Germany during its communist regime. He’s a good East German boy, which he lets us know from the get go. He plays heavily on the history of his country, exploring both the stereotypes of his German identity and the peculiarities of Germany’s dark communist history.
Alex hosts Show Up Go Up—as the name suggests, a show where anyone can participate. SUGU once only garnered a handful of people, but Alex has transformed this weekly show into a crowd favourite with a full room. Not only that, he’s recently launched his own open mic aptly titled Ministry of Propaganda, and it’s attracting the most sought-after comedians around. His infectious energy as a host, along with his laudable initiative and tender support of performers both new and established, have made him a favourite in the Barcelona comedy community.
Alex’s style of comedy is eclectic, and that’s its charm. While his jokes address common stand-up themes—dating, nationality, politics—none of them are dull. Alex deftly avoids the trap of sharing anecdotes and sprinkling them with punchlines. Rather, he crafts fanciful tales inspired by the everyday. He may not actually have pubic hair stuck in his teeth (we hope), but that does an excellent job of letting us know that yes, he’s not only single, he’s “flexible.” Among his quirky tales, puns, and one-liners, we are treated to some excellent physical comedy; his demonstration of the classic German mating ritual, for example, is a crowd favourite.
His split-hour co-star, Romanian-born Mihai Sebea, is a programmer by day and comedian by night. In Easterners, his second split-hour, he navigates the hardships of living in Barcelona as he deals with a midlife crisis, trying to date past the age of 40. Mihai is a joy to watch; his dry and self-defeating style embodies all the glorious appeals of Eastern European humour.
Mihai is a master of saying more with less. Among his personal anecdotes, he pauses to punctuate every few jokes with “Well… I’m Mihai, I’m 40, I’m Romanian.” It’s simple, and whether it’s spontaneous or not, it’s perfectly executed, leaving the audience in stitches. It’s brilliantly effective in conveying that the odds really are stacked against him. Mihai’s expert timing and delivery shows that he is closely in touch with his audience’s psyche, appealing to easterners and westerners alike.
English is, of course, not Mihai’s first language, but this does not inhibit the message of his jokes—far from it. He uses his outsider’s perspective to his advantage, crafting hilarious wordplay that highlights the absurdity of everyday speech. In his determination to be happy despite the odds, he has tried happy hours, Happy Meals, and happy endings. Why, then, is he still depressed?
Easterners is a well-executed hour of comedy from two entertaining comrades whose energies complement one another. We truly do leave the show feeling like good citizens: a little more obedient, a little more disciplined, and a little more perceptive of the absurdity in the world around us.
This review of Easterners, written and performed by Alex Jacob and Mihai Sebea, was based on their Nov. 6, 2024 performance at The Comedy Clubhouse during the Barcelona Fringe Festival.
