Any play about global warming must be relatable and avoid lecturing. Claire Watt’s new play achieves this through anarchic humour which, though fully through-written, owes something to university sketch comedy. Based on the real-life story of a visit to the UK of a walrus named Thor, the action moves swiftly along, cleverly punctuated with information – and misinformation – presented by conflicted news presenters on a denialist TV channel. Thor himself, though surrounded by tiresome stereotypes, is more fully painted and readily wins our affections as he seeks clams and answers to his questions. There is much silliness, but no uniquely bad guys or simple solutions, and the show craftily succeeds in showing the climate crisis to be something we all own.

Zoo Playground, until 25 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Alan Cranston]