Aaron Wood is more than just funny – he’s intensely likeable. This charming young Mancunian welcomes 50 people into a box of a room in the Apex Hotel, positioned on a tiny stage where usually, he tells us, the annual staff Christmas lunch is served. In this way he starts as he means to go on, with a down-to-earth, intimate, and brilliantly self-aware tone that distinguishes him as a top Fringe comedian.

Wood, 28, was born and raised on a council estate in Greater Manchester, which provides inspiration for much of his material – that, and living with ADHD, autism, and a gluten-intolerant hamster. His comedic style sits somewhere between endearingly laddish and gloriously camp, relating anecdotes from daily life and childhood with a boyish zeal and some cracking punchlines. He admits that his show is a bit of a rambling, but that doesn’t mean it’s unstructured – Wood zips through stories and musings with sleek transitions and a natural sense of ease.

But what makes him a standout act is his brilliant audience-work, a relationship which he lovingly nurtures from the start of the show. Many people find going to a stand-up gig an intimidating experience for fear of being called upon unwillingly, or perhaps being made the butt of a joke. Wood, however, instantly relaxes the audience with his friendliness and positive energy, and treads admirably carefully on sensitive topics. At many points he riffs off audience comments with an astounding fluency, producing material that is equally as hilarious as his rehearsed jokes.

He doesn’t scare with garish over-enthusiasm, but rather makes you feel as though you’ve stumbled upon a golden encounter in your local pub. He deals with heavy topics, masculinity, neurodivergence, mental health, tricky parental relationships, with a light but firm touch, delivering an hour of side-splitting, highly relatable and generationally appealing comedy. A gifted writer, savvy comic and all-round good guy, it’s certain Aaron Wood is a star on the rise.

‘More to Life‘ is at Hoots @ The Apex – Hoot 3 until Mon 25 Aug 2025 at 16:50