Hi, How Can I Help You?

True to her status as the first openly gay Miss America contestant, issues of sexual identity and national politics abound in Scout Durwood's Edinburgh debut, which is set entirely within a New York City house of domination on the night of the 2008 presidential election.

Durwood's manic efforts to embody her various roles reveal her versatility and fearlessness as a performer. She sings beautifully, effortlessly segueing into unaccompanied country music laments, and hula-hoops whilst wearing rollerblades, refusing to acknowledge the limitations of her confined space.

Though her script is witty and moving, it is too fragmented to fully satisfy. Instead, Hi, How Can I Help You? is best admired as a showcase for its creator's enviable array of skills.