A talking seagull making political proclamations on assisted dying was not on my Fringe bingo card, but that is exactly the set-up of ‘Nesting’. Francis (Billy Mack), recently diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, faces an uncertain future as his pregnant daughter Emma (Francesca Hess) prepares to become his carer. Played with superb physicality by Michael Guest, the seagull acts as Francis’s alternative conscience, urging him to end his life rather than become a “burden”. Darkly comic and thought-provoking, the show tackles assisted dying legislation, MND treatment and the impact on carers. However, its arguments are sometimes overly literal, preventing the emotional connection from breaking through the superficial. Despite this, a strong cast and striking premise make this an engaging watch.

Summerhall, until 31 Aug
tw rating 3/5 [Sam Ring]