Powerbrokers mocked by a high-speed classic

Fatboy Assembly Rooms AMERICAN visitors to the Fringe are usually the butt of comics' jokes, but their government comes in for a kicking in John Clancy's play.

And what theatre it makes.

Clancy (who also directs), uses 19th-century melodrama and Alfred Jarry's modernist classic Ubu Roi to tell a 21st century story about the corruption of world leaders, while taking aim at the unrestrained grasp for power of the current US administration.

In the opening scene, we see Fatboy the King (played by comedian Mike McShane) and wife Fudgie (Nancy Walsh) display their mutual loathing and other unseemly qualities, such as greed and sexual incontinence, using wonderfully obscene language; these grotesque creations are both excellent.

In the second act, Fatboy is accused of war crimes, but by a combination of bribery and complete disregard for the law, gets away with it. Dave Calvitto is magnificent as the easily distracted judge - "Cocktail, anyone?" - making stirring speeches about human rights and the importance of constitutional law. Then, with impeccable timing, he pauses and leads the court in braying, mocking laughter.

The overlong epilogue underlines the danger of doing nothing to stop evil; Fatboy, who has gobbled up every living being on the planet, is now horribly peckish.

All is played at a hundred miles an hour and, with absurdist makeup, costumes and sets, looks like a mix of Punch Judy, Restoration comedy and Dario Fo farce. It also manages to say more about the unbridled fantasies of dim politicians than a week of Newsnight specials could. A hoot from beginning to end, this is a real Fringe treat.

. Until 30 August at the Assembly Rooms (0131 226 2428).

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