Like all comedy on the edge, it risks alienating those who are fearful of laughing in the 'wrong place'..for those that get the joke, this is as contemporary and topical a treatment as its likely to get...I think those that will write this off, and don't get the funny are sadly unaware how polished this is....there's a lot of subtlety in the writing (and acting)...leaving the audience to get the joke...so much better than having it lazily spelled out....the characters, whilst caricature, are never extreme to the point they are unrecognisable, and their range and purpose are spread wide, covering all bases so that plots can become more farcical, whilst always having a point. There's a lot of dry, sardonic wit, but it never falls into meanness or bullying, with much of the relationships portrayed with affection and camaraderie as you might expect from an army team back from tour. The one-liners are choice, and delivered with a comic timing that double their efficacy. I think there's a strong Edinburgh cadence here, not just in the literal delivery of the dialect and affectations, but also of characters and relationships. Time will tell if this will be difficult for those not from the city, or indeed country, to appreciate. As I write, I am sure that there will be those who will dislike this as much as I liked it. That pleases me somewhat, for, we cannot all like cannedllaughcom-central.
