The ‘project’ in the title of New Zealand company Half Trick’s raucous, improvisational take on Christopher Marlowe’s 16th-century cautionary tale alludes to a different actor playing the tragic Doctor Faustus each night: comedian Adam Larter has the dubious pleasure of the role in this performance. 

Having never seen the script, Larter plays the part with wit and calculated abandon as he is cajoled, prodded and tormented by a trio of agitators (Courtney Bassett, Alex Medland, Moira Hamilton) and Faustus’ hellish nemesis Mephistopheles (director Caden Scott). The results are anarchic, frequently funny and very, very messy. How each new actor will approach the same material will be one of the shows’ unpredictable strengths (Faustus inhabits a blank canvas on which the three furies literally do their worst) and the company skilfully direct our protagonist with cue cards, props and the most provocative of physical theatre to keep the story rampaging along. 

Those with only a passing appreciation of the play might find things hard to follow in places (Elizabethan verse coupled with the general mayhem onstage will confuse some) but those on familiar ground will revel in the filthy, devilish fun. Larter does manage to get some of his own back during a hilarious invisibility scene, and this passage may well provide the most thrilling opportunity for improvisation. The Faustus Project is bonkers and bawdy in equal measure and stretches the phrase ‘game for anything’ to its limit. Just spare a thought for whoever is on clean-up duties. 

The Faustus Project, Underbelly Cowgate, until 24 August, 9.05pm; main picture: James Jennifer Wright.