Theatre

To get the criticism out of the way early, the plot of Reeling + Writhing’s ‘Funny’ is basically drivel: a sub Boy’s Own fantasy which finds Keith MacPherson’s troubled soldier Jack taking lessons in stand-up from left-wing comic Paul, not telling him that the end is to use humour as an interrogation technique on terrorism suspects. Somewhat insanely, Jack has Paul flown out to a combat zone, where ‘old school’ interrogator Steve decides to wade in and torture Paul for a bit, and, uh, yeah... maybe best we leave it there.

Nonetheless, the production remains surprisingly powerful. The premise of using humour as a weapon to break down the mental defences of prisoners is rooted in classified documents writer Tim Nunn was allegedly shown some years ago. ‘Funny’ takes this idea, but sidesteps the same old ethical questions, instead more actively exploring the idea of comedy as a form of distress. Every so often the main action freezes, with Jack turning to the audience to perform increasingly macabre war-fixated stand up routines.

MacPherson’s dark clown physicality is excellent, as, in these portions, is Nunn’s script and Katherine Morley’s direction, successfully equating the dark release of the interrogator’s chamber with the comic’s drive to extract laughter from his audience. As these parts escalate in intensity they finally merge with the daft main plot, shoving it into a disturbing left-field that actually leaves the finale rather chilling. Hopefully Reeling + Writing aren’t done with ‘Funny’ just yet: there’s an original, stomach-wrenching psychological drama in there – it just needs to get past Nunn’s inner McNab.

'Funny' played at the Assembly, 7 Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh.