A wayward novice in a nunnery is charged with caring for three orphans. This challenge changes her and those around her in Sadie Haslers bizarre, oddly touching comedy like Father Ted with a darker streak. Fluid direction by Sarah Mayhew allows the actors to play multiple characters, and scene changes are underlined by subtle lighting changes on the blank, prop-free stage. What starts as a strange black comedy swerves smoothly into an intelligent, non-reductive look at crises of faith, revealing the humanity hidden beneath a habit. Sister Mabel Matthew (Sadie Hasler) is particularly wonderful caring, world-weary and supremely wise. The absurdity jars occasionally with the starkly poignant moments, but the strength of characterisation and direction aid the message that coming-of-age can happen at any age.

Underbelly, Cowgate, until 24 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Tim Bano]