^{Picture: Steve Ullathorne}

Victoria Melody has had a lot of jobs. Pigeon fancier, funeral director, beauty queen: you name it, she’s probably done it. Now, she takes a stab at stand-up in this endearingly haphazard medley of theatre, comedy, storytelling and science. Exploring her recent ADHD diagnosis, she delves into the data of her dopamine levels through some perhaps unreliable but still funny technology. Does telling jokes have the same effect on the brain as taking drugs? Could stand-up therefore relieve ADHD symptoms? These are questions that are not exactly answered by the end, but then again, we’re watching a comedy gig, and Melody isn’t exactly Bill Nye.

It’s almost impossible to tell when Melody is telling a story, cracking a joke, or just thinking out loud (one of the many criticisms her stand-up coach gave her, she explains). The comic’s ditzy and likeable demeanour renders her naturally funny, which she expertly taps into during a performance that is nothing if not original. 

All told, there may be too much pondering on how intentional her jokes are or on the reliability of her science. Instead the crowd should just let itself be swept away into the bizarre atmosphere that radiates off Victoria Melody like laughing gas.

Pleasance Courtyard, until 28 August, 4.50pm.