A stand-up comedian recently confirmed as autistic has been boasting to friends that he’s not going to even mention it on stage because he’s not like those other neurodivegent stand ups. Sources have claimed that Stuart Laws, 40, walked on stage, took the microphone out of the stand abd asked if everyone was well, before immediately revealing he was autistic.
The rest of his 20-minute set was dedicated to his diagnosis, how people have reacted and his own views on autism. Around 13 minutes in, he did briefly mention how saucepans are always identical triplets, but then muttered “maybe that’s the autism talking”.
Christine Smout, 55 – an audience member and truck driver remarked: “Stuart seemed to be doubting almost everything he said, caveating and disagreeing with each sentence. At one point, he used the word ‘riddled’ and that prompted him to debate with himself about whether his diagnosis allows him to discuss it honestly or whether he now needs to be a representative of the entire community.”
When Smout was pushed for their opinion on whether Laws should speak for the whole community, she reflected that she “drives trucks for a living, but every truck driver has a different truck and drives the roads in different conditions.” Her friend Eli Port, 68, quickly interrupted to say “everyone drives on the road so why complain about that? Back in my day we didn’t have truck drivers, goods just got places”.
The venue, HaHa BarBar put out a statement reiterating commitment to providing comedy that appeals to all types of people, whether that be someone who is a truck driver or knows someone who has a friend who is a truck driver. They have also asked Laws to adjust his future material to be more focused on how men and women are different, so as to not alienate anyone in the audience.
Stuart Laws is on tour with his new show that explores relationships, from the perspective of having been diagnosed as autistic late in life. Tickets available at www.stuartlaws.com, along with a link to his new stand up comedy special that has just been released on 800 Pound Gorilla.
