Show Rating:

The Edinburgh festival is all about self-promotion. And what better way to get your name known than by basing an entire hour-long show on it.

For his fringe production, talented improviser Neil Mullarkey embarked upon a whimsical quest to discover the origins of his unusual surname.

From his research, and invention, he has produced this gently amusing piece, populated with comic characters from the sensual French seducer to the over-friendly Geordie.

But with a mild-mannered, conversational style that seems to come from a more refined age, Mullarkey seems unable to make the show genuinely funny.

There are plenty of contented smiles to be had, but few ­ if any ­ direct hits to the funnybone.

It works as a series of inoffensively witty anecdotes from a sophisticated raconteur, but lacks that vital energy modern comedy audiences expect.