Edinburgh Fringe comedy review

Perched on a stool, Ed Mulvey is a low-energy comedian with a monotone voice who doesn’t go much out of his way to connect with the audience. That we later learn that he has autism comes as little surprise, but the barrier to communication does mean that his many strong lines don’t get the reaction they deserve in a listless room.

There are shades of Dylan Moran in his demeanour and worldview (and even shaggy hairstyle). Aside from the social awkwardness, the vibe is of a nihilistic, depressive, alcoholic philosopher. And while he might not have the Irishman’s poetry, Mulvey can boast a very distinctive logic.

‘A lot of my stuff is grim, but some is adorable,’ he asserts at the start, which is as accurate a description of the material as any. Meanwhile, his philosophy can be summed up as: ‘Life is a curse’. But there are laughs in that misery.

Masculinity is the predominant theme here. Mulvey is baffled by male sexuality, especially the alpha machismo espoused by the likes of Jordan Peterson, and the mores of dating generally. Charming a woman into bed is ‘cheating’, he thinks.

He has a strong line in what might be defined as ethical bad-taste jokes, lines that might make you go ‘eugh’ but actually come from a good place. Arguing why trans men struggle to pass by very definition is a case in point.

He has, he believes, ‘the wrong amount of autism’; if he was non-verbal he wouldn’t say the sort of things that get him into trouble. Less autistic and he wouldn’t think them in the first place.

Conversely, the way his brain is wired makes him an original thinker, able to generate one-liners of uniquely twisted  logic that others might not be able to see. He’s not at this level yet, but Australia’s Dan Rath might be a blueprint as to how Mulvey’s bleakly funny style could ultimately develop. 

Review date: 24 Aug 2025
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: PBH's Free Fringe @ Carbon