‘Pole Factor’: A play about young ladies pole dancing their way to fame on a reality show. If you think it doesn’t sound like the most cerebral fare at the Fringe, you’re in for a surprise. Playwright and director Nazish Khan’s creation is a vicious, incredibly current satire on the media in Britain today. Sameera Mohammed (Natasha Atherton) invents the persona of Coco, a passionate if misguided pole dancer on a crusade against a local mosque. The cast is universally strong, evoking the familiar figures they portray, from the reality show wannabe to the misunderstood Muslim, with the great realism called for. A refreshing critique of the fear peddled by tabloids that many Brits will identify with.

theSpace on the Mile, until 24 Aug (not 18), 8.05pm.
tw rating 5/5 | [Melissa Steel]