Anna Burnside reviews 'an enjoyable' comedic set.
Stand-up has gotten so modern and TED Talk, with its props, PowerPoints and family memorabilia, that it’s a rare treat to see someone with a microphone just march in and hold the room.
Twinkly Irishman Stephen Mullen has a head start by being a large and prepossessing fella with a cute Cork accent and the dark good looks of his Argentinian father. His personal warmth heats up material that might have felt lukewarm delivered with less charm. He’s like Chris O’Dowd’s hotter brother.
Mullen explores the factors which have turned him into a rascal, including his unlikely parentage, an ill-fated crush on his infant schoolteacher and the problem of opening up to a therapist when you come from a feelings-averse family, region and culture.
A gifted mimic, there are lots of accents - his mother calling him in for dinner in sing-song Latina is particularly sweet. There’s the odd physical moment, including a pigeon in flight and a great impression of pubescent Stephen attempting algebra with what he describes as “a pinecone in his trousers.”
It’s an enjoyable hour. The theme is not particularly well developed and some of the toxic masculinity chat feels a bit five years ago. But for anyone weary of comedy as PowerPoint presentation, Mullen is a solid lo-fi alternative.
Stephen Mullen: Rascal performs at Assembly in George Square from 1945-2045 until August 25 (no performance on the 12th).
Photo by Steve Ullathorne.
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