Jacob Hatton wants to be the Pope. Kind of. He dons the hat and begins forgiving the audience for their imagined, trivial transgressions before setting off on an ambitiously rangy journey. It features extensive audience interaction, props, daft bits and a message of sorts, namely to say nice things to people while they’re still here to hear them. The earnestness and the whimsy don’t always cut together as smoothly as they might, but it is a bold, bold choice to be so determinedly among his congregation at a time of day when they’re not even properly caffeinated, never mind lubricated. For that, and for a very silly bit with a dinosaur mask, may your morning blessings be upon him.

Just The Tonic at The Caves, until 26 Aug.
tw rating 3/5 | [Bruce Blacklaw]