The Mayor And His Daughter is an absurdist appreciation of comedy, somewhere between Aunty Donna and The Mighty Boosh, that is filled with audience participation. The premise is great: a mayor and his daughter in a demon-ravaged post-apocalypse environment. After finding a Russell Howard boxset, they try to repair the community (their audience in this case) with references to comedy they love but barely know. It feels a bit like a childhood game of make-believe with a joyful soundtrack and tingling moments of nostalgia spiked with irony.

Sadly, while this chaotic hour-long sketch comedy pokes fun at its own lack of clarity and material with an innate charm, this still gets a little tiresome and doesn’t feel fully fleshed out yet. There is a bit too much (and at the same time not enough) going on. The audience needs a strong sense of the narrative, but the hour is chipped away by banter-heavy jokes that are dragged out.

With the presence of flying objects, and asking us to read, sing, hold things and react continuously, their plot becomes confusing. A talking milk bottle, although entertaining, eventually loses our attention while the actors arrange the next routine. Needing a little more material and a shorter running time, The Mayor And His Daughter doesn’t quite feel Fringe-ready. But, with a definite sense of dark wit and glimpses of silliness echoing Black Books in tone, it still has the potential to become an outstanding set. 

The Mayor And His Daughter, Assembly Roxy, until 24 August, 4.10pm.