one4review | On 23, Aug 2019

Stephen Carlin has a wide range of topics and certainly doesn’t shy away from controversial ones – hard drugs, suicide, being called ‘gay’ – as well as some more mundane, from family relationships, small town life, and driving, to World War 2.

It’s a sideways take on some really interesting, diverse topics. Carlin can sometimes sound slightly aggressive on the darker topics to begin with, but it’s clear that the premise of the show, being able to talk about anything, is met, as he does just that.

In less experienced hands, some of these topics could be extremely offensive, and there is a risk they could be triggering, but they’re handled really well, with enough self deprecating humour to smooth out the darker side, and plenty of laugh out loud moments.

****

Reviewed by Gill
Laughing Horse @ Bar 50
21:45 (until 25th)