Last year, after a decade of coming to the Fringe, Stuart Laws chose to take his comedy in a more personally honest direction as he revealed his autism diagnosis.

This follow-up continues on his honest and self-analytical path as he breaks down his attitude to relationships, having recently ended a five-year single spell. Even when he’s with a partner he’s historically usually had one eye on how it will end. A symptom of his brain chemistry? Who can tell?

In his low-key style, Laws makes a few direct references to his autism, such as talking about masking and stimming or considering which historical figures might have been similarly neurodiverse. But generally, it’s just part of his personality, no need to pick apart what’s autism and what’s not.

Cleverly, this whole show is shaped like a relationship, from the ice-breaking getting-to-know-you at the start to the break-up at the end (though asking for money as per the bucket speech is not part of the analogy). To overcome Laws’ hatred of small talk, the gilet-clad comedian has some cards with conversation starters printed on them, prompting the audience interaction needed to get us going.

Relationships are at the forefront of his mind as he’s now coupled up with American comedian Chloe Radcliffe, who last year had a Fringe show about being a serial cheat. But, encouragingly, both comics’ honesty, revealing their vulnerable sides, has been a boon, and things are going well.

Show-wise, however, the sincerity sometimes comes at the expense of the laughs, and the introspection not quite enough for an emotional impact to fill the void, although Laws is never less than engaging.

For example, there’s a segment about three-quarters of the way in that he admits makes him appear ‘so unlikeable’ as he abandons his usual gently self-deprecating, slightly apprehensive shtick. However, it doesn’t resolve into a punchline good enough to overcome the awkwardness it engenders.

Away from the central theme, Laws displays his quirkier instincts by boasting about his globetrotting, extending the toilet-based system of No1s and No2s to higher numbers, profiling people depending on their choice of bank, and offering a wonderfully left-field visual gag that will be the one thing no one will forget about the show. 

All in, it’s a fun date, even if the sparks don’t always fly.