Twinkles is dead (no spoilers, it’s in the title) and we’re all invited to the funeral. Zoe Wohlfeld’s debut clowning hour is packed full of the well-observed and objectively odd details that make our shared rituals, from awkward wake chat to conducted keening. Dog Funeral is a highly participatory show, relying on the audience catching the vibe and letting go of their inhibitions from the opening moments. That can make for a rocky start; a gentler build-up might help us get to where Wohlfeld needs us to be faster.  

That said, for the right crowd this is a ridiculous hour of clowning that’s as black as Wohlfeld’s mourning garb. The Gaulier-trained clown has bags of presence, excellent timing and isn’t afraid to sit in the awkward pauses. Rubber of face, weird of mind and full of absurdity, her invitation to take our place amongst wee Twinkles’ mourners is hard to refuse. 

Zoe Wohlfeld: Dog Funeral, Underbelly Cowgate, until 30 August, 5.25pm; picture: Hudson Hughes.

Related articles

• Glob review: Mindful, comforting clowning
• Delea Shand on combining video games and opera: ‘Mozart meets Mario’
• David Saffert on his Liberace and Liza Minnelli tribute: ‘What we do on stage is 100% plausible’