Aaron Wood is a fast-rising comedian from Stockport who mines his working-class background and diagnosis of Autism and ADHD for affable, light-hearted laughs. Highly in demand on the UK circuit, he’s also been tour support for the likes of Luke Kidgell, Tom Stade, Fin Taylor, Eshaan Akbar, Connor Burns, Carl Hutchinson, MC Hammersmith, Hayley Ellis, Liam Withnail, Josh Jones, and Ignacio Lopez. After two sold out work-in-progress visits to the Fringe, he returns with his full debut, ‘More to Life’. We chatted to Aaron about his show, dealing with potentially heavy themes with the lightest of touches, and absolutely not shitting himself in a Co-op. 

Can you  tell us about ‘More to Life’?

Yeah! It’s my debut hour of stand up where I try to figure out if there’s REALLY more to life than this! I grew up really working class (so working class none of my family worked…) and it’s basically an introductory hour into who I am and how I got here.

It’s a really fun, relatable and upbeat show. I’ve worked dead hard on it, I’m excited. Even if I do reveal too many embarrassing things about myself!

For those unfamiliar with your work, how would you describe your comedy style and approach to performance?

Honest, pretty fast paced, a l’il bit camp. I like to talk about real things but without the focus on the depressing. I gravitate myself to shows that maybe make you feel something but make you laugh even more. We’ve all got our own issues, you don’t need mine as well. Everything I say on stage is in the pursuit of humour. I want people to leave having loved the show and still be thinking about it hours or even days later.

You’ve been a prolific support act to a who’s who of comic talent. How have you developed as a comedian from that experience, and has there been any particularly helpful advice from your tourmates?

Stand-up is never harder than when you’re supporting someone on tour and you’ve got about three seconds to win over people who not only don’t know who you are but legitimately don’t want you there. They would rather sit silently staring at the red curtain than watch you. You’re essentially a YouTube advert that can’t be skipped. Tour support made me sharper and it forced my writing to be tighter because they won’t give you any lee-way.

In terms of advice I’ve been told to care less than I do and not overthink things. I haven’t listened. Not even a little bit!

You’ve done two WIP shows at the Fringe previously. What’s persuaded you to make the step out to the full hour?

Because doing a third WIP would be absolutely mental.

Nah, I just wanted to wait until I felt like I was ready. The plan was always to write two different 45 minute WIP’s and pick the best hour out of that 90 minutes for my first ‘proper’ show. I wanted to just make it the best it could be and I didn’t want to invite reviewers before I felt like I had something to say. I wanted to work out the type of comic I was and the type of show I wanted to put together. Then regardless of what happens at least I’ll know that I gave myself the best shot by not rushing it.

‘More to Life,’ is your debut stand-up Edinburgh show. What are your hopes and expectations for the month?

Make it through without food poisoning and pooing myself in the Co-op which definitely 100% hasn’t happened before because of a certain nameless chip shop on the corner of Grassmarket. Promise. Shut up.

Apart from ‘More to Life’, is there anything you’re particularly looking forward to about the Fringe?

Angrily glaring at the staff of a certain nameless chip shop on the corner of Grassmarket for what they may or may not have done to me in previous years.

Besides your show, can we expect to see you performing elsewhere during August?

Yeah, I’ll be popping up loads across the run on mixed bill shows, late night shows, there’s even a show where you have to take your top off. I try to avoid doing that one but there does get to a point where you’ll do anything for some validation.

If you see me with my willy out then just know I probably got a bad review.

Are there any other acts at the Fringe that you would recommend audiences see?

Yeah, loads! This is the first year I’ve only got one show per day so I’m keen to finally be able to see as much as I can. Probably way too many to name and I always fear that I’m forgetting friends and they’ll go on to hate me forever but off the top of my head I’ll be checking out Alex Kitson, Liam Withnail, Hannah Campbell, Phil Ellis, and tons more who I haven’t had the chance to watch yet.

Mostly I recommend the people who I don’t clash with. If I clash with them then don’t see them. Just see me. Come twice. Please. I’m skint. I’ll wear a hat the second time so it feels different.

‘More To Life‘ is at Hoots@TheApex  – Hoot 3 from Fri 1 to Mon 25 Aug 2025 at 16:50