Ben Van der Velde wants to get us writing letters again. Lamenting the lost art of the hand scribed epistle, he’s on a personal quest to regain what’s gone and resurrect the simple chain letter. The show did feel a bit gimmicky as it opened, as he strolled on in Postman Pat regalia to the Carpenters’ ‘Please Mr Postman’. Yet, after a nervy start, he was ultimately smart and verbose. His pursuit takes him across the continent, from RyanAir to Megabus, and we learn about his not-always-successful attempts to get old friends and a celebrity or two involved. Sentimental and permanently self-deprecating, Ben Van der Velde is a very bright new talent.

Underbelly Bristo Square, until 26 Aug (not 12), 4.10pm. 
tw rating 3/5 | [Elizabeth Jewell]