Gareth Mutch really does mean well. He’s the sort of guy you could depend on to self-immolate in an inferno of his own embarrassing mishaps, while holding any secrets you might entrust him with to the grave. He’s got your back, even while he shreds his own. It’s that sense of security that completely keeps tonight’s audience onside as Mutch meanders through a set of humiliations and mishaps. Mutch isn’t a crowdwork comic per se, but his audience interactions feel light touch, natural and rock solid.
There’s some lovely moments here, for sure. The military levels of coordination between a group of female friends while one of them is on a date is nicely observed, with a humility that never belittles the reason behind it. He has a lovely line in self deprecation, to the point of wondering if a comic’s “show-off prick energy” is reason enough for anyone to warrant a Fringe show. His impressions and act outs are sold with an easiness that’s super engaging.
There’s just not a huge amount of ‘stuff’ here, though, which puts Mutch’s hour in an odd no-man’s land. It has the take-all-comers lightness of a club set, but without a headliner’s ruthless, punchy focus; it has the latitude of an Edinburgh hour but without a sense of shape and purpose. Only the wholly joyless could find Mutch boring. Only the easily-pleased will feel he’s whittled this set down just right.
Gareth Mutch Means Well, The Stand Comedy Club, until 31 Aug (not 17), 4.20pm