Mark Trenwith Be My Friend

Mark Trenwith is an amiable Australian comedian who looks not unlike David Tennant. He’s a friendly, relaxed performer who peddles what is becoming an increasingly familiar brand of upbeat, optimistic humour.

Friendship and connection with other people are the guiding themes in this Free Fringe offering and to this end, he attempts to send social networking-style friend requests via the postal system and hands out a packet of HobNobs to be dispersed among his audience. Video snippets are used throughout his set, often showing him interacting with bemused members of the public. These clips are used to illustrate how the choice of music on your iPod can shape your day and how even the most seen it all before barman might panic a bit if a customer throws a toddler temper tantrum in his pub.

There are other comedians around doing similar shtick in a tighter, far more focused way, but Trenwith is a genial and endearingly self-deprecating character. He is quick to get – and keep – his audience on side even when his material is shaky, and his show, though only patchily amusing, contains a scattering of genuinely inspired moments.