Faux-Russian wit, vodka-dry

VASILY DJOKAVICH: RUSSIA’S #1 STATE APPROVED COMEDIAN ★★★★ Stage 1, Westbury Theatre

Vladimir Putin isn’t all bad.

At the very least, we can thank the Russian leader for sending Vasily Djokavich on a cultural exchange of North America.

Not only does the deadpan comedian offer insights into his homeland and the average life of a Russian, he lets us see Edmonton in a new light.

All kidding aside ... Victoria’s Morgan Cranny plays Djokavich, a sad-sack potato of a man in this one-hour show (directed and cowritten by God is a Scottish Drag Queen’s Mike Delamont).

Russia’s No. 1 state-approved comedian doesn’t necessarily tell the funniest or most original of jokes, but his dry (almost humourless) delivery and earnest obsession with America will win you over.

Plus, he has the best audienceparticipation shtick ever to hit the Fringe.

As a photo of a kindly Putin watches over the audience, Djokavich reflects on his early days in comedian school, his family, Hollywood films, Edmonton’s landmarks and the Sochi Olympics. His jokes range from groaners to absurdist zingers, but his real gems possess elements of each: Folly and an uncomfortable truth.

“Shoot for the moon,” Djokavich imparts his dad’s advice, “because if you miss, you will die in the vacuum of space.”