Maybe He’s Born With It, Maybe It’s ADHD

Colin Ebsworth’s show, perhaps predictably, went a little off track on the night I reviewed, perhaps a sign of the titular ADHD. Starting late through no fault of this show, it was derailed by Colin recognising his former teacher in the audience (who is referenced in the show), by a witty retort from an audience member that had Colin rolling on the floor with laughter, and by a drunk audience member, leaving early to catch an Uber, who took us on a lengthy love-fest tangent. All wonderful and special unplanned moments that made this show unique - but I get the impression these things may happen t Colin a lot.

Diagnosed with ADHD, after a suggestion from his doctor wife, Colin looks back at his life growing up with undiagnosed ADHD, his relationship with his (also undiagnosed) father, and how this has led to his life now. Funny, clever and lightning quick, Colin interrupts himself with clever quips, improvises like a whip and establishes a warm relationship with his audience. Knowing that his audience will be mostly people with ADHD and people that live with him, he plays off that fact, and the show is constant laughs combined with nods of recognition.

Running very late, but never losing its magic, Maybe He’s Born With It, Maybe It’s ADHD is the sort of show that we near-divergent people would enjoy seeing multiple times, and I look forward to seeing how it develops in the future.

Kimberley Shaw

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