The self-styled German comedy ambassador for teutonic jolliness played to a packed house at the home of Red Rose Chain, which is fast becoming the place to see comedy with a difference in Ipswich.

Ipswich Star: Comedian, activist and journalist Mark Thomas visits The Avenue on June 30Comedian, activist and journalist Mark Thomas visits The Avenue on June 30 (Image: Archant)

I was a relative newcomer, only having caught snatches of him on panel shows here and there; never having seen him perform a full stand-up routine. I liked what I saw.

A work-in-progress, which Wehn prefers to describe as masterpiece-under-construction, he hasn’t settled on a title yet. I personally liked Spike Milligan My Part in His Downfall.

Starting off by apologising to any Germans in the audience - of which there was one - for the late start to the show he played on the stereotype of German culture to glorious effect.

There were jokes about punctuality, democracy versus autocracy. At one point he conversed loudly with his aforementioned countryman in their native tongue oblivious to those of us who don’t speak German, pointing out at the end isn’t that what Brits do when we’re abroad.

There was a general theme of immigration and what that actually means. Wehn, who’s lived in the UK 14 years, touched on his ongoing struggle between nationalism and assimilation; ziping from one topic to another.

There were a few nervous pauses and muted titters from the audience during a few near the knuckle moments. Truth is, if anybody could make these comments it was Wehn under the banner of an “outsider looking in”.

Not every joke landed but that’s the point of previews and it was interesting seeing the show take form.

Mark Thomas is the next visitor on June 30 with Red Shed, the third part in a trilogy that started with the multi-award winning shows Bravo Figaro and Cuckooed.

Wayne Savage