Certainly no monster, the titular Beast here is Winslow, a sweet natured cave dweller who craves contact with his human neighbours. Stuart Bowden is as charming and engaging a storyteller as you could hope for, holding the audience enraptured from the moment he meets us as the door, dancing crazily and strumming a ukulele. The instrument makes regular appearances throughout, for a handful of fine songs and a delicate live soundtrack built up with economical use of a loop pedal. Thought it’s slight, the bitter-sweet narrative is full of whimsical wonder, laugh out loud humour, sparks of surreal brilliance and moments of touching melancholy. Unfolding like a gentle dream or a children’s story, this is an off beat gem.

Underbelly Cowgate, 2-26 Aug (not 13), 8.10pm.
tw rating 4/5 | [Dave Fargnoli]