Irish dancing, all-in wrestling and film noir all come together in Angela Clerkin and Improbable’s tall tale about a murder and an ursine predator.

While working as a solicitor’s clerk, Clerkin meets a murder suspect, who tells her his wife’s lover was killed by “the bear”.

His statement takes our heroine on a journey of detection and self-discovery as she tries to uncover the truth behind the seemingly insane words.

Fellow performer Guy Dartnell plays a range of characters, from Clerkin’s endearing furcoat-clad auntie Gloria, to the stuffy barrister trying to win his first murder case.

The tone of the show is a little surreal, with bears appearing in the shadows and on the soundtrack to add moments of tension.

And the large, moveable set perfectly represents all the locations, from Clerkin’s flat, to her client’s prison cell – while also doubling as a see-through cage for the bear.

The story may be tall, with neat comic asides including how to protect yourself against bear attacks, but the psychology behind it rings true, as Clerkin develops and changes over the course of the story.

The Bear certainly has the feel of a devised piece but it is perfectly finished and carefully developed to make an engrossing, touching and hilarious 85 minutes.