Scott Gibson: Life After Death

This is a genesis tale, as Scott Gibson recounts how he came to do standup. While a common trope and often hackneyed, Gibson's route is more engrossing than most. A horrific near-death medical encounter made him see the urgency in following his dreams, and a heartfelt coda at the end of the hour acknowledges how trite all that may sound. But we should be glad he did; this is adroit storytelling which marks him as one to watch.

He has a gift for storytelling, and onstage he is personable and open. At first, it seems his tales will follow hackneyed laddish routes as he recounts his experiences on a stag do in Blackpool. But it is what happens after that trip which is the real meat of the show, as blinding headaches reveal themselves as significant health problems. The rest of the hour recounts his subsequent treatment and recovery – as he notes, it's no spoiler to acknowledge that he survived. But this makes the narrative no less gripping, and there are particular descriptions of medical treatment that leave the audience squirming.

In comic terms, he has real skill in finding the humour in mundane details, which helps root the gags in lived experience. This is humour grounded in the everyday, delivered in a charming, conversational style. It's also a highly cathartic journey, for both performer and audience. His illness gave him the impetus to start standup, and for that we should—just as he is—be grateful.