Helen Lederer, Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh

Fabulous? Absolutely not sweetie

After an eight-year absence from the Festival, the comic actress Helen Lederer returns with a show that will be instantly recognisable to its audience.

After an eight-year absence from the Festival, the comic actress Helen Lederer returns with a show that will be instantly recognisable to its audience.

For most people, Lederer will be familiar from her appearances in Absolutely Fabulous . "Finger Food" is where Absolutely Fabulous meets Light Lunch with Mel and Sue. Sadly we are talking about the later series of Ab Fab here where excess is less.

There is a promising start for the yarn about Bella Le Pard, a failing television presenter who is trying to resurrect her career after her stint on "When Vicars Attack". We join her standing in for the regular presenter on the "Finger Food" cookery programme, vying with her love-struck floor manager and unimpressed director. There are moments when Le Pard's antics, such giving a Brazilian wax to a coconut and her snide quips about estuary English, remind you of the better moments of Ab Fab . The slapstick that ensues when the host returns is reminiscent of Tiswas .

Before the evening began the audience was offered a shot of Cointreau. A stiff drink after the show would be advisable.