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How do you recover from heartbreak or loss when you are a depressed little slug?

This Triple-A comic (“A”lternative, “A”utistic & “A”ward-winning (Keep It Fringe 2023), ) reflects on this conundrum like the irredeemable clown that he is.

Nominated for the Malcolm Hardee Award for Comic Originality, who knows what this horrid gastropod has in store (possibly an exorcism on himself?). Come see a show also featuring a man with owls for hands , Flashlight Gordon and what happens if a horse walks into a bar.

Awards for previous work:

Keep it Fringe Award winner
Spitfire comedy best unique act award winner
Malcom Hardee award for comic originality nominee
BBC New comedy award Nominee
Actually autistic excellence award nominee
British comedian of the year nominee
Leicester square new comedian of the year finalist
The Luke Rollason Memorial Bursary Award nominee
Recommended by British Comedy Guide(2023)

News and Reviews for this Show

August 20, 2025  Neurodiverse Review ‘I prefer to do silly things with props, rather than talk about personal things’ so Stephen Catling opines in his new hour. Don’t worry there is plenty of the former, but something new has crept into the absurdist’s performance art/stand-up hybrid; a vein of melancholy. It’s a rich vein too; perhaps it’s the light and shade of some of Stephen’s more silly moments, that makes his asides about depression and relationship woes pack more of a punch, it feels out of place at times, but perhaps we are witnessing a development in Stephen’s work – trying to grow and show more vulnerability? It can be a cliche when comics talk about emotional or personal stuff; some people say it’s a cynical attempt to elicit sympathy ‘around the 45 minute mark’. Stephen isn’t doing this, it’s a genuine moment of truth. I think it’s different for autistic performers, who are already contending with ableist expectations, and whether to disclose details of their life to an audience who may not understand. Stephen’s a comic that can bring an audience around very quickly. For all the prop nonsense and clever sound-bites, there’s a lot of considered comedy writing for which he should be recognised for. There were some lines in Moving On that made me howl in a way no other show at the fringe has this year! There’s an originality to Catling’s work that belies his northern shouty persona, but you’d be a fool to take this at face value, there’s a lot going on. It’s wonderful to see him have a committed following already! Click Here

August 20, 2025  Everything Theatre Comedian Stephen Catling hits the stage slithering, with a ridiculous slug-eyed headband signalling the theme of his standup hour, Moving On… Really Really Slowly. It’s apparent from the start that this is going to be an unusual show… Catling tells us that he is autistic, and this brings a wealth of unusual and entertaining angles to his observation of life (occasionally through slug eyes). The evening wraps loosely around tales of splitting up with both an ex-fiancée and another girlfriend, as well as how he has moved on from some quite traumatic (and some less so) incidents. Also dealing with depression, his progress is slow, which is why he likens himself to a slug. There’s some excellent observational humour about gastropods, which reveals an intelligent and entertaining tendency for precise, compulsive research; this then creates the space for Catling to explain a great deal about autistic behaviours, providing some very interesting insight to an audience perhaps not familiar with this level of detail about his condition. It’s also brilliant to see mainstream representation of autistic creatives in this way. His best moments lean into this uniqueness, as he considers things in a highly literal way, producing some very funny comparisons and perceptions, and his delivery is brilliantly playful. We’re also treated to rather bizarre puppetry with Lion King-based audience interaction (consensual, of course!). Indeed, Catling’s relationship with his audience (some of whom are clearly repeat attendees) is a joy – his response to the audience’s participation is really friendly and authentic, as he actually listens to what they have to tell him and responds enthusiastically. There’s a lot to like about the show, including a great soundtrack that keeps energy levels high, loads of pop culture references, and a man with owls for hands making a cup of coffee. That being said, it’s not what I’d call polished and would benefit from a little work on its structure. However, if you like zany, off the wall comedy and sketches, this is the show for you! I loved it and can’t wait to see where Catling’s career goes. Click Here

August 5, 2025  Chortle Stephen Catling has a full suite of conditions and disorders which means his brain doesn’t work like most people’s. You don’t need to be a medical professional to diagnose that, just an audience member in his chaotically surreal show. Fans of Harry Hill will appreciate the quickfire absurdity of the hour, cascading with draft jokes, preposterous props and manic sound effects. I say quickfire: Catling makes a purposefully glacial entrance to the front of the room while wearing a giant slug’s head. It turns out this – and the show’s title Moving On… Really Really Slowly – is reference to the speed at which he’s getting his life back together after two devastating breakups, one especially badly timed. This bonkers hour is perhaps part of the healing process. So enjoy some gastropod-based punnery, the sorts of jokes where horses walk into pubs, and sketch ideas along the lines of ‘what if I had owls for hands?’ When an especially corny gag lands, Catling high-fives the entire front row as the Benny Hill theme plays, it’s that sort of show. ... Click Here

August 1, 2025 chortle Edinburgh Fringe 10x10: Looking good In 2023, autistic alternative comedian Stephen Catling dressed as a bee. This year, his show’s called Moving On... Really, Really Slowly, so what could be more apt than becoming a gastropod mollusc for the promotional shots. One of the guises he adopt in the show is a slug stand-up telling jokes he way only a slug could (slowly). Another is Mr Owls For Hands Man. Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 7.30pm Click Here

July 31, 2025  Neurodiverse review Beehavioural problems something something autism Appearing with a giant fluffy dog-head on and offering the audience chocolate bars if they are ‘good’, is how Sheffield-born comedian and former Lab Technician Stephen Catling chooses to open his show. His absurdist performance is a joy and a masterclass in play. I was enthralled from the first moments to the (very) messy climax. Amongst all the strange musical cues and Stephen’s one impression (that of a growly neurotypical person) is a narrative of navigating the world as an autistic person. This comes in at such an obtuse angle that I feel some punters miss it entirely, and are merely captivated by the oddness of the set-pieces. Stephen does employ a complete gear-change two-thirds of the way through the show, with details around working in animal testing and being bullied as an autistic person. It is a worthy detail to include, especially to educate audiences about the very real ostracization we face as autistic people and the horrendous questioning about our existence we endure. The gear change is perhaps too abrupt and needs to be finessed a little more. Ultimately, the show is very funny, very enjoyable and serves as a showcase for an immensely funny talent. Click Here

July 29, 2025 British Comedy guide Stephen Catling / William Thompson / Mitch Benn - Bobby Carroll's Glasgow Comedy Diary: Day 2 The ride is a bucking bronco of surrealism and scruffiness. Click Here

July 1, 2025  london theatre 1 Beehavioural problems something something autism  Click Here

August 16, 2023  Neurodiverse review Beehavioural problems something something autism ★★★★ Appearing with a giant fluffy dog-head on and offering the audience chocolate bars if they are ‘good’, is how Sheffield-born comedian and former Lab Technician Stephen Catling chooses to open his show. His absurdist performance is a joy and a masterclass in play. I was enthralled from the first moments to the (very) messy climax. Amongst all the strange musical cues and Stephen’s one impression (that of a growly neurotypical person) is a narrative of navigating the world as an autistic person. This comes in at such an obtuse angle that I feel some punters miss it entirely, and are merely captivated by the oddness of the set-pieces. Stephen does employ a complete gear-change two-thirds of the way through the show, with details around working in animal testing and being bullied as an autistic person. It is a worthy detail to include, especially to educate audiences about the very real ostracization we face as autistic people and the horrendous questioning about our existence we endure. The gear change is perhaps too abrupt and needs to be finessed a little more. Ultimately, the show is very funny, very enjoyable and serves as a showcase for an immensely funny talent. Click Here

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