Colin Etches, the Notts born neurodivergent comedian, shows that when life is at its darkest, it’s laughter that gets us all through...
The Nottingham Comedy Festival is back in town November 1st to November 10th and has a fantastic lineup. I don’t see a lot of live stand-up but was lucky enough to see local comedian Colin Etches. He appealed to me as not only a local comedian but also a neurodivergent comedian living with ADHD, Autism and Dyspraxia. Through family and friends, I live in a world full of wonderful neurodivergent people, we laugh and we cry but I’ve not seen it on stage in a comedy act.
It was a small venue and unfortunately a small crowd but it did mean Colin could ask us some questions and get to know us before beginning. Colin is the type of guy you could spend a few hours with chatting in a pub and that is what his one-hour show felt like. Colin has a warmth with his humour because if comes from very personal experience. He is open about a rough childhood in the 80s when Autism and ADHD were not recognised and you were labelled the troublesome or restless child. Colin battled with that and left home early finding his way in a world that didn’t understand him. As a youth, Colin had some hilarious ‘recreational’ experiences with his mates and he’s a dad who has struggled with his own quirks which is also comedy gold.
lots of nodding and smiling from me and other audience members
From these experiences comes a wealth of anecdotes and incidents, some hilarious others a little more sombre but Colin spoke about them with a humour and honesty that had me chuckling all evening and lots of nodding and smiling from me and other audience members. You don’t have to understand the neurodivergent world to enjoy Colins set because he is just a funny man. A fast-moving set with no offence or cringes I’d happily see him again.
As I’ve already said I don’t see much stand-up comedy and Colin at times felt more like a storyteller that leaves you wanting more. I especially enjoyed being able to have a quick chat to him afterwards and feel a little reassured about the future of an increasingly neurodivergent population and a more accepting world – humour is a perfect medium for getting information out there.
Colin Etches' s As Yet Untitled (a WIP) appeared at Vibes on Thursday November 7th 2024 as part of the Nottingham Comedy Festival.
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