Lorna Irvine reviews a sharp and funny political satire.
It's hardly surprising that Gary McNair's directorial fingerprints are all over this week's PPP, as it makes a noble (and suitably mischievous) brother to McNair's hit play Donald Robertson Is Not A Stand Up Comedian, bookended as it is by a satirical stand-up routine.
But while Robertson was the fictional product of McNair's delightfully warped mind, Sandy Nelson, who wrote and stars in this, plays the real and very eccentric Jon Gnarr, an Icelandic comic actor who used his considerable appeal to run for mayor, promising free towels for swimming baths and a Polar Bear.
You couldn't make it up. A mayor with no clear plan and bizarre ideas, such as The Moomins' Snorkmaiden representing the outsider? It couldn't happen here...
Boris comparisons notwithstanding, there is a serious point being made here: of the civilising nature of art and how, if we let it die, we let society's ideals die. Empty promises become little more than white noise and body blows to working men and women are always delivered with a smile.
Nelson is superb, fizzing with energy as he flits from cheeky chappie trading on celebrity status to passionate advocate of free speech. And of course, Bjork and the fishing industry receive gentle potshots.
Embodying obsequious rivals are the equally superb Rebecca Elise and, making his PPP debut, Jamie Scott Gordon, who also play his fellow campaigners Heida Helgadottir and Ottarr Proppe.
Using surrealist humour and an episodic structure, this neat deconstruction of campaigning tactics and media influence doesn't need to doorstep to get support. The very tickled audience concur.
Run at A Play, a Pie and a Pint has ended.
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