George Zak: 2024 Greek Comedian of The Year, Greek in The Sheets Review by Jamie Lerner
To say that George Zak is one of the most experienced European comedians on the circuit would be an understatement. With 15 years of performing around the continent under his belt, the Greek Manchester-based comic is a pro at the Edinburgh Fringe and beyond. So it’s no surprise that his new hour, 2024 Greek Comedian of The Year, Greek in The Sheets, sold out on the final Saturday of the Fringe.
He eases the audience in with jokes about household appliances, gaining weight with aging, and other relatable topics. But as he gets more personal throughout the hour about becoming the Best Greek Comedian, we learn more about how his cultural perspective has affected his experience as a 40-year-old comedian living in the United Kingdom.
As a joke writer, there is almost no better European comedian than George—with some of the tightest set-ups, punchlines, and tags on the scene, George is able to capture the attentions of nearly everyone in the room to get them on his side, despite his privilege as a straight white cis man.
The question remains, however, if he can propel himself beyond being a club comic with tight jokes into a more introspective and game-changing personality on the circuit. For anyone looking for an hour of classic jokes and an easy laugh, George is the guy to go to. He’s not subverting the genre of comedy or doing anything particularly inventive, but his writing chops are unmatched.
In addition, his ability to tackle dark and taboo topics is akin to that of a Mediterranean Louis C.K. But whether that’s a compliment or a sign that George may be a decade too late to rise to fame in his current style of comedy is still to be seen. Regardless, everyone who sees George will walk away with a smile on their face and a stomach sore from laughing, and we can’t wait to see him back on the European circuit with his new hour.
