The Hush ****

Never has black and white looked so colourful. Never have the silent movies seemed so sexy. In a sparkling show of sophisticated silliness, a wordless tribute to those great films of yesteryear has resulted in something that positively screams originality and invention. Buster Keaton, Sergio Leone, Quentin Tarantino, Gene Kelly ... the list of influences is endless.

But rather than being cheesy, the references are incorporated into a fantastic whole. The editor, or rather the director, Caroline Cracknell, should get an Oscar for her handiwork.

In a bravura opening sequence, scientists are shown re-creating Charlie Chaplin for a secret operation called Project Hush. In time to the music the scientists stitch and sew while a back projection of old-fashioned titles allows us to keep track of the action.

Only seconds after his creation Chaplin is kidnapped by the gorgeous gangsters Gino and Ginelli. Their aim is to hold comedy to ransom and take over the world, but they had little reckoned on the mind-numbing incompetence of private detective Stan Shovel.

So begins a boisterous barrage of chase sequences, seduction scenes, slapstick and moments of comedy genius.

If the plot sounds a little frivolous, it is. But it is all done with such panache that you could forgive this excellent production anything. Slick and cleverly choreographed, the A-list cast brilliantly capture the lost world of the silent movies.

James Browne, Nick Belcher, Ruth Wilson and James Erskine must be some of the fittest actors on the Fringe and their energy ensures the comedy never flags but stays at a high level which Harold Lloyd would have been proud of. This quality display of visual artistry just has to be seen.

Until 26 August