Anyone seeking to ‘explain’ classical music – especially an Australian stand-up comic with a potty mouth – is taking a risk. Even more so, perhaps, at 10.20am with a demographic probably well familiar with Chopin’s music. But the risk is worth it: the show is a delight. Against an engaging autobiographical backdrop, Aidan unpicks Chopin’s famous Nocturne in E♭Major, first in ‘technical’ terms, accompanied by excerpts on the piano, and then with bolder imagery where his considerable comic skills come to the fore. Some of the analogies I could take or leave: as Aidan notes, this is not a programmatic piece. But he still reaches deep into the emotional core of the work with affecting honesty. Definitely one to catch, now or post-Fringe.

Summerhall, until 25 Aug.
tw rating 5/5 | [Alan Cranston]