Theatre

If luck were a Las Vegas lady, she might be a little something like gambler’s daughter Megan Riordan: a hyped-up unpredictable red-head who looks seductive but is no more in charge of the game than you or me. ‘Luck’ is one of those solo shows that could only work on the Edinburgh Fringe, but work it does – appropriately, according to the roll of the dice or the fall of the roulette ball.  
 
Riordan’s confessional show – like her life in the shadow of her professional casino-fleecing father – is governed by gambling. In theory, the show you see is one of a very large possible number. We roll the dice and, depending on what number is called, Riordan improvises dance routines, speculations, memories or fun facts around one of half a dozen possible subjects until the three minute bell rings and we’re on to the next bet.

The audience clusters around her in the nicely burlesque setting of Underbelly’s Bosco Tent and, although this is very far from a polished piece of drama, it’s got a hectic thrill that’s hard to resist. Riordan’s tales of ducking under the radar of the big casinos with her Dad are fascinating. In some ways it’s a shame that they’re so abruptly cut-off, but this show wouldn’t be nearly so much fun if it weren’t also game of chance.

Underbelly's Hullabaloo. Bosco Tent, George Square, Edinburgh.