Exploding with energy (look out for the eccentric hand-acting); it’s remarkable to see a fast-paced solo show without the performer stumbling over a single word of his story. Dockery’s humour reminds me of Will Ferrell’s; it’s crass, but after some initial resilience you’ll find yourself chuckling away. With frequent visits to an alternate universe as he journeys across West Africa, following a trail of clues that will give him the answer to life, he is hilariously honest about all his anxieties. Then just when he has an epiphany, albeit not the one he wanted, that there is no ending – no conclusion to stories – he provides the audience with a big-hearted happy-ever-after (for now, at least).

Gilded Balloon Teviot, 1-27 Aug (not 14), 2.00pm.
tw rating 3/5 | [Stephanie Taylor]