Forced to review arts festival ‘Urbania’, a journalist considers how emotion and authenticity have been prostituted, as he looks back at his formative university years. This is a gripping monologue, narrated in a mix of storytelling and poetry, and is absolutely dripping with character. Luke Wright’s exceptionally passionate performance feels too symbolic at first, but quickly evolves into an expressive interplay of student politics and pints down the pub. The character of Johnny, a failed working class hero, is the focal point of the play, to the extent that narrator Nick feels marginalised as an observer – simply someone to bounce the better jokes off. However, this hour of theatre is sure to spark at least one mid-life crisis.

Summerhall, until 30 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Robert Stevens]