Review by Esme Hallworth

Stand 1 at The Stand Comedy Club

Pint in hand, oozing with confidence, Gareth Mutch is at home on stage and provides an hour of dependable laughter which comes, more often than not, at his own expense. No stranger to public embarrassment, this self-proclaimed “sweaty Hagrid” smashes through scores of social failures with self-assured comedic poise.

It’s not long before Mutch invokes his hearty Welshman of a father, a man harbouring an ardent para-social relationship with money saving expert, Martin Lewis. As such, his father knows a good deal when he sees one and berates Gareth for his foolish energy and mobile plan choices. Mutch draws social commentary into his father’s tutelage by investigating his audience’s mobile plans, sniffing out the Vodaphone lot – a litmus test as good as any for determining those most likely to guest house.

Gareth Mutch Means Well and does well to pick up the energy of a dozy Wednesday afternoon crowd. Though in truth no humble crowd is drawn to The Stand Comedy Club, Mutch is not much impressed by the turnout; an observation that risks losing its charm on its third count. Nevertheless, he is quick to read the room and quicker to self-deprecate, with a strong “instinct to find a quip in any situation” allowing him to wilfully wince through unyielding audience interactions.

If nothing else, this set is an opportunity to pick up a life lesson or two. Want to avoid olive chat at a party? Take up vaping. Don’t know which body part to choose for a school waxing event? Go for the eyebrows. After a “frottage” fail tale (google with caution) to finish the set, Mutch leaves the audience with two key and equally profound take aways, most importantly: sign up to giff-gaff and second, to embrace your embarrassing stories. No shocking plea from a comic but a comforting close from a “giff-gaff guy” with the gift of the gab.

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