Cabaret and variety review: Maureen Lipman Is '˜Up For It', Assembly George Square Theatre

She has a way with words and how to deliver them, has Maureen Lipman, 72 '“ see the show to get the reference.

Maureen Lipman Is ‘Up For It’, Assembly George Square Theatre (Venue 8) ***

Or just see the show for the pleasure of the company of this “elder ethnic Sassenach national treasure”, whose pitch for a TV show called Walking With Wrinkles deserves to be a done deal, even before she explains the role of Miriam Margoyles.

Not everything the up-for-it Lipman chooses to remark upon is interesting or inherently funny – her reflections on public toilets are as flimsy as any loo roll – yet she has the practised showbiz flair to deliver her quick-fire comic observations with maximum punch, or spice up with a character turn or judicious impersonation.

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She has also brought along some big-name musician pals – singer Jacqui Dankworth and her husband, Memphis pianist Charlie Wood plus, on guitar, Spinal Tap/Simpsons star Harry Shearer, recruited after Lipman bumped into him at their local butcher’s – to provide a soundtrack of supper club classics and cover the costume change. When she re-emerges in her red carpet dress to pull some uneasy punches with regards to the #MeToo movement, it is the only moment in a warmly comic hour which is not honed pin-sharp.

• Until 12 August, 5:45pm