Will Duggan @ Pleasance Courtyard

Will Duggan is angry but he can’t quite put his finger on why. Lots of things amplify his rage and he does a good job of lighting that fire in his audience too. Those things include nicknames, saying you’re fine when you’re clearly not, and auditioning for adverts.

Duggan has some tight anecdotes which elicit big laughs – a proposal in Palermo and an ill-fated audition are particular highlights; the latter playing out with a particularly unexpected climax which makes the payoff even more enjoyable. They escalate just right and have clearly been honed by a comic comfortable on the club circuit. Iceberg puts you at ease and straps you in for an hour of really solid observational comedy which steadily builds in meaning and heart.

The underlying inspiration for the hour is drawn out subtly with Duggan reluctant to say what’s on his mind, instead projecting his frustration on the minutiae of daily life, the cause of his anger chipping away at mundane stuff no-one would usually be bothered by. The final gag of the hour is particularly ire-inducing for the audience, but is played with tongue so far in cheek you groan, shake your head in disapproval and still find it very funny.

As meaningful Edinburgh hours go, there’s been more affecting and effective ones, those which build on metaphor and sleight of hand to catch you off guard. However, you can tell from the outset that this isn’t where Duggan’s going. Instead, there’s a quietness and a bravery to Iceberg. It’s not the most sophisticated hour of storytelling, but it’s satisfyingly done and results in an interesting perspective on the underlying root cause of his anger (something not often spoken about in public, let alone within comedy).

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Will Duggan: Iceberg, Pleasance Courtyard (Cellar), until 28 Aug, 3.25pm, £7.50-9.50