Review: Paddy Young

Paddy Young’s new show is all over the place – in the best possible way. Shortlisted for best newcomer in last year’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards, he’s back with a high-energy hour that’s bursting its buttons with jokes.

It’s peppered with tales of unrequited teenage love, being a late developer, how he’d feel if his flatmate started a serious relationship, and various aspects of social envy. These themes are handled with the lightest of touches, and never feel like they get in the way of constant fun. In fact, Young has perfected the schtick of controlling the room with tiny flashes of playful explosiveness.

He has a full-blooded argument for separate gym changing areas for “show-ers” and “growers”, some brilliantly dark material about XL Bullies, and a few routines about aspects of men’s lives (from protein drinks to sex toys) that might feel a bit near-the-knuckle in the hands of a less charismatic performer but leave the crowd gasping with glee.