“Why put up with cava, when we could have champagne?” asks London mayor and would-be Prime Minister Max Newman in this fast-paced political comedy. ‘Kingmaker’, a sparkling tale of Westminster intrigue and deception, certainly leans towards the latter. Clever observations combine with cutting one-liners to hugely entertaining effect as Max (Alan Cox) attempts to protect his leadership bid from a scheming whip and a young pretender. The mayor, a “teddy bear crossed with a serial killer”, will seem familiar; but Cox’s excellent depiction draws from rather than imitates real-life, and is stronger for it; laced with satire but not stifled by its source. At points ‘Kingmaker’ feels it needs more time – but that is minor piffle in an otherwise splendid performance.

Pleasance Courtyard, until 25 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Sarah Richardson]