Show Rating:

Hardly the trickiest of targets, the Catholic church provides the theme for experienced stand-up Simon Bligh's Edinburgh show.

And, indeed, there are few surprises in the admittedly slick material as it weaves extracts from Vatican history with tales from the comic's Catholic Liverpudlian upbringing.

What saves this show, though, is Bligh's undeniably engaging stage presence.

Dressed entirely in black, right down to the leather kilt, he was always going to demand attention, but his engagingly playful and enthusiastic manner certainly brought out the best in the uninspiring material.

Bligh is so skilful he could surely make a cassock's washing instructions sound fascinating, and that's why the show remains an entertaining way to spend an hour, despite the unimaginative subject matter.