Gareth Mutch Means Well will be at Stand One at 4.20pm for tickets go to www.edfringe.com
Gareth Mutch Means Well centres on good intentions going wrong — what is it about social awkwardness and saying the wrong thing that makes it such rich material for comedy?
It’s relatable. It’s human. Everybody knows this and has experienced this. Any sort of artists all we are trying to do, is dip into and find things we can all relate to in human experience.
Your storytelling style feels very conversational and relatable; how do you turn everyday disasters into stand-up that resonates with such wide audiences?
First of all, thank you for noticing this. It’s always been a choice of mine. I think it’s something I learnt at college studying acting. They teach you to have zero inhibitions, I remember day 2 of college I was crawling on the floor pretending to be a fox. I’ve brought that energy into comedy; I leave my ego at the door and will tell any story that I know will make people laugh.
The show touches on class clashes and romantic missteps — do you think comedy is becoming more effective at exploring uncomfortable social dynamics?
Comedy has probably been the most effective platform to explore dark and difficult topics. Always has been. Always will be.
You’ve supported acts like Iain Stirling and Jason Manford while also headlining your own work — how has balancing those roles shaped your confidence as a performer?
Getting the opportunity to open for bigger names in larger theatres to wider audiences who aren’t there to see you. It takes the pressure off and gives you the opportunity to learn and grow as a comic. Then I can take that add that skill set into my performances in comedy clubs.
After three consecutive ISH Award nominations, has your relationship with ambition and expectation changed when developing a new Fringe show?
No, it hasn’t, my goal has always been to write a better show than the previous year. I write it and perform it because I believe in it. Any awards or accolades that come out of the fringe are a bonus. My focus is writing a great show that the audiences will enjoy. Although that being said, I have a significant bet on that I will make it 4 years in a row. So, if anyone from ISH is reading this. No pressure… but I have a lot riding on this. *wink*
Your comedy often finds humour in failure and misunderstanding — why do you think audiences connect so strongly with comedians who openly embrace their flaws?
In my opinion. For me, if I was a paying audience member. I would be going to a comedy club for an escape. If in that escape, I could see myself and my own life experience in the performer. It would make me happy. I have failed. They have failed. Failure is real. Comics will disagree on this but for me all great comedy comes from a real, true place. There ain’t nothin more real than failure.