“An exploration of distraction, humour, and the joy of embracing who you truly are.”
Enter Colin Hoult’s Colin, a chaotic and hilarious show that blends personal storytelling with the unpredictable nature of ADHD. It’s not just a simple recounting of family Christmases or childhood moments—it’s an exploration of distraction, humor, and the joy of embracing who you truly are.
Colin opens the show dressed smartly in a grey checked suit, ready to tell us about a Christmas in 1986. But true to form, his ADHD takes over, and the story unravels into a delightful series of digressions. Every time he gets sidetracked, the audience is taken along for the ride, laughing at the absurdity of it all. It’s this energetic, off-kilter storytelling that becomes the heart of the show, as Colin weaves together his personal experiences with ADHD, creating a narrative that’s both uproarious and oddly touching.
At the core of Colin is the comedian’s exploration of ADHD, a condition that, growing up in Nottingham, wasn’t understood the way it is today. Colin uses humor to reflect on how, back then, people simply wrote it off with phrases like, “He’s not right. What’s he doing that for?” This raw, honest look at ADHD’s impact on his life provides a unique commentary on how far society has come in understanding mental health, while also poking fun at the new-age tendency to over-label everything. A particularly funny moment comes when Colin adopts a smug Brighton character who claims, “Well, aren’t we all a little bit on the spectrum?”
Family plays a big role in the show, and Colin brings his relatives to life through spot-on impressions. He hilariously channels his mother, with her signature line, “That lot wants shooting,” and brings his father—also named Colin—into the fold with tales of burping, farting, and his legendary “when men were men” attitude. These impressions are not just funny—they’re filled with warmth, offering a glimpse into a noisy, chaotic upbringing that many will recognize.
The show also highlights the stark differences between Colin’s life in the North and his wife’s more serene existence in the New Forest. Colin reflects on how his northern, loud, and hectic family life stands in contrast to the quiet, pony-filled calm of the New Forest. Describing the experience like stepping into Narnia, Colin makes his mother-in-law’s gentle greeting feel like a scene out of a fantasy story, with Colin himself becoming a creature in an unfamiliar land. His observations about how everyone in the New Forest has a “gilet” and “trousers that fit” provide a hilarious look at the contrasts between the two worlds, leading to one of the funniest moments in the show when Colin jokes that he doesn’t think he “drank water” growing up.
Throughout the show, Colin weaves in a story about Christmas 1986, where his family’s attempt to use a Ouija board on Christmas Day leads to a series of bizarre, funny exchanges. His mother’s belief in ghosts adds an eerie, comical touch, especially when she mentions “the shadowman that hangs over my bed,” a moment that’s both humorous and unsettling.
But at the heart of Colin is the comedian’s reflections on fatherhood. He talks fondly of his own children, admiring how, despite being a little “weird,” they remain true to who they are, no matter what others say. This tender moment contrasts with the earlier humor and chaos, grounding the show in a sense of love and acceptance.
In the end, Colin is a joyous, unpredictable ride through family memories, ADHD, and the quirks of life. The show’s blend of humour, personal storytelling, and chaotic energy makes it a unique experience—one that might stray off course, but always finds its way back to a heartwarming conclusion. Colin Hoult’s Colin is a show full of laughs, reflections, and moments of genuine emotion. If you’re looking for something bold, unpredictable, and utterly charming, this is a must-see.