★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Joe Wells is the comedian best known for his viral video about his severely unautistic brother (who may actually be his sister). Some people may come to his fully-booked shows at Banshee Labyrinth to hear this part of his set live, and they won’t be disappointed, but Joe’s show is far more than this. From witty observations, comparing being autistic to being an airport hotel, Joe takes you on a journey through his experiences as an autistic person at full-speed to explaining to his local council that “dog-cum refund” is actually about pizza.
At the beginning of the show, Joe tells us that he has become an overnight autism spokesperson. Something he isn’t entirely comfortable with, but he does effortlessly. From start to finish, Joe found ways to interweave his observations of society, being autistic, the expectations by non-autistic people on how we should be and with some dark jokes that appeal to this cynical autistic audience member.
One thing that is clear throughout this hour-long, pay-what-you-can show is that Joe articulates what it is like to be autistic, and gives some insight into common issues discussed within the autism community, to audiences with all levels of understanding. From connecting to the autistics in the room, to educating on the problematic history that Aspergers has, this show is as fun as it is educational.
The message of being yourself, and the difficulty many autistic people face doing so when we are so often told to change, is a powerful end to the show. Joe may consider himself to be an autistic anti-role model, but from one autistic to another, I would recommend everyone try and catch this show while it’s here. Make sure you get there early and get your placeholder ticket, I have no doubt this will be a Fringe-must-see
Review by Aimee Fletcher
Joe Wells: I am Autistic PBH Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth – Chamber Room 12:00 (1hr) Aug 6 – 28 (free BOOK IN ADVANCE). 18+
