Bad Birds or Kleptoparasite ****

Isaac Burnett is not far from striking gold in this wonderfully off-kilter work-in-progress, as eccentric as it is a thinker. It follows a guy called Dylan throwing a flat party. He's wearing a Kafka tee but is the portrait of a total nihilist. He's like a more cynical version of Jez from Peep Show, but he's about to go through horrors the former couldn't imagine. Namely, having Kleptoparasite seagulls steal his hangover-cure sausage roll. And afterwards, in the play's central image, turn into a seagull himself. 

Key to the story are two nasally voiced authority figures – a letting agent who provides an anxiety-inducing flat inspection in a posh Edinburgh accent, and a worker at the job centre on Dylan's universal credit case. Both are portrayed by 'so bad it's good' mask work that gives the show a beautifully unique aesthetic. They also function well as critiques of private property, finances and the high demands on graduates in a receding economy. This is a piece full of Gen-Z anxiety, but always intelligent, accessible and funny. 

The Kafka tee goes to show this is a play that wears its influences on its sleeves. This is in some ways a direct translation of Kafka's Metamorphosis. This is never key to the story, but the borrowed structure is intelligent and a nice nod. Also present is Aristophanes Old Comedy The Birds, although this influence is less elaborated on. 

At around 30 minutes, the show needs a little development, so that it can be played to the wider audiences which it undoubtedly deserves. In my opinion, it's less about adjusting or expanding, more about adding more 'seagull work'. I couldn't help but be reminded of Osvaldo Dragun's short play The Man that Turned into a Dog, and a similar third act (perhaps of tragic proportions) could kick the story on a little bit. It must never lose its succinct and breakneck pace though. 

Bad Birds or Kleptoparasite is a gem. It's really funny, really sharp, and has heaps of potential. Burnett must continue work on it, and it was a thrilling personal discovery at this year's Dundee Fringe.