Vladimir McTavish and Keir McAllister: Look at the State of Britain

Pleasingly wobbly camera work sets the scene for Look at the State of Britain, which plucks jokes from an apathetic nation on its sprint around the UK.

Edinburgh comedy legend Vladimir McTavish and rising star Keir McAllister enter as the video finishes, in a neat touch before they start bantering.

For the Fringe's only comedy act looking at the Scottish independence referendum in just over a year – and written by two nationalists – the crowd is a good mixture of Scots, English and international visitors with yes and no voters vastly outnumbered by the don't knows and don't cares.

Veering between politician potshots and satirical comment on identity, it merges well-worn stereotypes with up-to-date topical material, keeping it fresh.

McAllister glides through the gags effortlessly but McTavish sometimes seems constrained by the scripted format as he mock-interviews guests from around the UK via videolink; he hits his stride when allowed to unleash the odd sweary rant.

In fact, the two comedians battle being outshone by the excellent guest apearances from comedians standing in as residents of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

A rousing orchestral number pulls together a commendably ambitious performance with brilliantly funny bits of poetry satirising the status quo.