After working the comedy circuits hard since 2008, Alan Sharp comes to Perth with his new show Careful What You Wish For. Having performed at a healthy selection of clubs, festivals and competitions around the world, it is anybody’s guess why Sharp’s opening performance at Leederville managed to pull only one or two scattered chuckles at best. One guess is that the performance, although engaging, was not particularly funny.

Sharp begins by describing his childhood in Dursley, England: eccentric parents, non-varied dinner menus, Star-trek and Metal. He then describes his transformation from a well-paid, job-hating depressive, to a poorly paid, life-loving, less-depressive comedian. His message is a strong one: don’t be afraid to do what you want. Unfortunately, his jokes are less strong.

Many of Sharp’s insights into the human world – for example, it must suck to be a gay man or a straight woman, because men are just gross, or, it sucks to be married because you don’t get as much sex as before you’re married – are horrifically uninspired. It seems he is often grasping for something to dislike for the sake of being funny – as opposed to genuinely disliking something in a way that is actually funny.

On the plus side, however, the man is a great storyteller with a relaxed and friendly demeanour. At times, his self-loathing comes across as endearing – albeit in a scruffy, long bearded way; “Yes, my mum is ashamed of me,” is his opening line.

Maybe it was just a tough crowd, maybe he felt out of sorts on the night. Or maybe, possibly, Alan Sharp needs to reconsider his direction.

Alan Sharp: Careful What You Wish For runs until February 8; 8:45-9:45pm and is part of Fringe World 2013. Tickets are available from www.fringeworld.com.au