The comedy of rage and anti-audience hostility has a venerable fringe pedigree, which includes Johnny Vegas's unforgettable 1997 debut – still the gold standard – and Nick Helm's recent, larynx-busting work. Now Luke McQueen stakes his claim to the territory: his 2013 show was called A Terrible Comedian; his new one seeks to forcibly extract from the audience the love that his father withheld. It purports to be as much emotional breakdown as comedy show, although – unlike with Vegas – a little light is let through the illusion. Which makes it uneasy rather than full-on terrifying for participation-phobes in the audiences – and I speak as one singled out for personal abuse.
The show starts with McQueen near-naked and catatonic under a black sheet; it takes the audience to activate him. Wearing only pants, he then embarks on his misguided and often malevolent attempt to entertain us, an endeavour that cedes to maudlin reflections on his failure at comedy and miserable fortunes in love. One visibly unhappy punter is grilled on his relationship with his girlfriend, whom McQueen hopes to poach. Another is cast as McQueen's disapproving dad: winning over his affection is the goal of the several desperate set-pieces that comprise this hour of comedy.
One of these finds McQueen promising a pun on a well-known Elton John song, but waiting in vain – and very amusingly – for the musical moment at which to deliver it. Another involves a game in which he addresses the audience out of his "third eye" – then loses his rag when we misunderstand the rules. There's also a gut-churning sequence when he smokes out the Guardian critic in the audience. (I wished myself miles away, but admired his chutzpah.) The occasional flicker of a smile belies McQueen's self-mortification, and the backstory – rejected by girls, unloved by Dad – is generic. But there are some indelible moments in this aggressive/depressive confessional, and McQueen makes the room crackle with life.
• Until 24 August. Box office: 0131-556 6550. Venue: Pleasance Courtyard.
