This is quite the giddy ride. John Tothill is supposed to be delivering a talk on the history of hedonism in post-Reformation England. His angle: Catholicism is way more sexy than Protestantism (or ‘meal prepping’, as he sees its modern-day equivalent). It’s ten minutes in before he begins recounting events in 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his theses to a German church door. He’s got an hour of this he teases, as we need to get this lecture up to the present day and we’re not leaving until it’s done.

Distractions and diversions are constant throughout the show. He quickly discovers a bunch of delightfully keen mature women on his front row and plenty of silly back and forth ensues. The hour bounces along with quickfire, highly camp routines and plenty of breezy asides. There are stories of his clarinet-playing childhood, fancying the PE teacher at the school where he is now a teacher, and a musing on Harry and Meghan.

Tothill is a warm and fuzzy presence as compliments fly towards the audience and he encourages us to join him in the bar afterwards for the rest of his ‘lecture’. Overall, the effect is somewhat dizzyingly scattershot (even though that is largely the point) which can get a bit exhausting and just a touch frustrating. But this is a lot of fun.

John Tothill: The Last Living Libertine, Pleasance Courtyard, until 27 August, 8.30pm.