2015ASCENSI_AMEIt’s early morning. A flurry of beings surround the most important man on Earth, fumbling with their clipboards for the daily meeting, taking place in the Big White Building. The agenda is every wordly issue. This isn’t the American government, this is Heaven. It’s newest member? 74 year-old Nelly Leech. (Mrs. Leech, if you please).

But she soon finds out that Heaven is not the paradise she expected. Dressing-gown-clad God rules Earth with the air of a spoilt child; slightly tyrannical from too much power and granting prayers with a simple yes or no. Giving rainfall to the drought-ridden Gambia? Nah. Rain to make better crops for the Lincolnshire farmers? Sure, why not.

His angels are terrified to contradict him – his word is law, after all – so when he sarcastically commands power over to Mrs. Leech, his wish is their command. Earth’s new God is Bourbon eating, tea-drinking, vest-knitting Mrs Leech.

It’s hard to find characters as likeable as Mrs Leech, played brilliantly by Kat Pierce. She’s like everyone’s favourite grandma, passing round biscuits at the angel meetings and granting the prayers of all. But her compassion comes with a cost, and quickly she learns that running Planet Earth is quite a leap from being Chairman of the Boules club.

So many Fringe comedies with outlandish concepts can end up being just plain silly, but The Ascension of Mrs. Leech steers artfully away from that trap. The humour is witty and consistent – at one point in an argument with God, Mrs. Leech argues that at least she’s managed to keep her whole family fed, which is more than he can say.

The Ascension of Mrs. Leech relies hugely on the quality of its humour to work – and it’s hilarious. And all from a group of extremely talented university students. Oh, and it’s free. Need I say more?

The Ascension of Mrs. Leech is playing at Greenside @ Infirmary Street (venue 236) until 29 August. For more information, visit the Fringe website.