In this show about OCD, Anna is so obsessive about cleaning that she’s engaged in online forums about household products. Anna doesn’t have OCD. Jo does: she’s plagued by intrusive thoughts which oscillate between violent and explicit in nature. Flicker does a terrific job of softening, and highlighting, the stresses of Pure OCD by nestling it within bedroom farce. The ensemble of actors takes to comedy like a swan on water; Gabriella Foley’s script upends Jo and shows us the chaos beneath the surface. It’s easy to laugh at intrusive thoughts when they sound ridiculous, but Foley’s stiffness as Jo communicates how paralysing this disorder can become. Hilarious performances, worst-case scenarios and dispelling stereotypes: forget necessary viewing, this is essential.

Pleasance Dome, until 26 Aug.
tw rating 5/5 | [Louise Jones]