Kraken (Edinburgh Fringe)

New Zealander Trygve Wakenshaw scored a cult hit at last year’s Fringe with Squidboy, and returns to the festival this year with Kraken, a surreal show packed full of mime and clowning.

Gaulier-trained Wakenshaw succeeds in finding the joy in his entire performance, playfully interacting with the audience. With elements reminiscent of Doctor Brown, he creates a surreal world where anything is possible.

Moving deftly from sketch to sketch, he has a child-like quality about him – although, this show is certainly not one for the kids – and is entirely believable when swallowing swords, riding horses and does a particularly good impression of a snake.

Beware if you don’t like interaction in your comedy; everyone is made at least to sing and talk to the person next to them, and certain individuals are transformed into mythical beasts or asked onto stage for a game of tag.

But with a unique joyfulness, Wakenshaw has you in the palm of his hand from the very beginning – a wonderfully absurd hour.

Kraken runs at Underbelly until 24 August

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