Katie Mulgrew: Happily Ever After @ Gilded Balloon

Kittens sometimes really are bastards, Darth Vader is a bit of a queen and Disney is much more influential than we give it credit for. These are just three of the revelations that subtly emerge from Katie Mulgrew's charmingly honest Happily Ever After.

A lot of younger comics are a lot slicker than this. The pacing of this show occasionally feels off, and as result there is a noticeable lull in momentum at points and the beginning seems slightly pointless. Having said that, the lull is only noticeable because of how wonderful the material surrounding it is. It isn't until quite late on in the set that the social commentary element becomes apparent and really sets her show alight. It turns out that intellectual comedy doesn't have to be belligerent or dry; it can be engaging and gentle as well.

Though the Disney puns and faux Disney obsession and psychosis are fun, by far and away the most engaging element of the hour is the exploration of young love and real adult relationships. In a somewhat odd turn of events, the deeper moments have more impact because of the material around them. The analysis of love-at first-sight resembling Stockholm syndrome, the awkward examination of first loves in the age of Facebook and the game of passive-aggressive Tetris that is wedding planning are all delightfully tender and throughly entertaining.

Pop culture jokes are often par for the course for modern comics thanks to the internet; but pop culture and heartfelt honesty are usually more contrived than this. The show even manages to redeem the latest Disney sensation that is Frozen. Who saw that one coming?