Festival review: Sealand; Edinburgh Zoo (venue 124)

Inspired by the stranger-than-fiction story of Sealand – a self-determining principality based on an old Second World War sea fort off the Suffolk coast – this play imagines the creation of another de-facto nation along similar lines by two families seeking to escape broken Britain.

Not a bad idea, but the asinine storyline sinks things to Hollyoaks level. Gary struggles with booze problems, while his party-loving teenage daughter Sarah attempts to seduce Ted, the architect of their utopian vision, who, it transpires, is less than squeaky-clean himself.

The message – that unchecked obsessions, vices and desires will corrupt even the purest of states – is a thoughtful one, but it gets somewhat lost in the delivery.

Rating: * *

Until 27 August. Today 5:15pm.