Catherine Bohart : Immaculate, Pleasance, Edinburgh Fringe

She's Irish, her dad's a Catholic deacon, she's bisexuual and has OCD.  Bohart tells us these things at the start for they are the essential elements of her show, a story of a changing Ireland where family life is evolving into the 21st century, where her atheism and sexuality don't lead to the social ostracism they would once have done, and attitudes to mental health issues are improving.

It's an optimistic hour, but with enough uncomfortable moments to add a bit of bite.
 Coming out as bi to her parents produces unexpected reactions.  Being hospitalised for a few months to be treated for her illness has her mother trying to be inventive rather than tell the neighbours the 'awful' truth.  Feeling hard done by that her country is rapidly liberalising, mostly after she had moved over the water.

There's a bit of audience interaction, but she isn't one to pick on people and put them on the spot.  It's a well structured set with a satisfying revelation at the end.  Above all it's consistently funny, and she ad libs effectively when external noises intervene.  Highly recommended.

With a small rider.  This is one of those Fringe venues that get VERY hot and humid, to the point where one audience member fainted.  Go and see Bohart, but maybe take along some water and a couple of flyers to fan yourself if you're prone to that kind of thing.

Catherine Bohart : Immaculate is on in The Pleasance at 16.15 until 26 August.