THE SNP knows a thing or two about putting on a show and its manifesto launch, at the cavernous Edinburgh International Conference Centre, was a typically big production.

A central stage with tiers of seating on four sides, it was political theatre in the round.

Seasoned observers have complained this campaign has lacked drama, not least because of the Nationalists apparently unassailable lead in the polls.

But no-one told that to the 1400 SNP activists who queued without complaint for a seat inside the arena.

When star of the show Nicola Sturgeon strode up to a bright yellow lectern bearing the single word "re-elect" (a re-electern?) they jumped to their feet, cheered wildly and snapped away on their phone-cams.

As a show of strength, the SNP's opponents were sent a clear and dreadful message as they watched the online coverage from behind their campaign office sofas.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon: I'd 'very much' like independence referendum in next five years

Not that anyone was in much doubt about it, but the launch showed just how central Ms Sturgeon is to her party's campaign.

The manifesto, she said, was "my job application".

"I'm asking you elect me as your First Minister," she added to a wave of applause. She sought a "personal mandate".

Gone is the SNP's "team, record, vision" mantra of five years ago. In its place is the Nicola Sturgeon show, and a glossy manifesto featuring more than 30 pictures of the leader. Apart from a smiling head-and-shoulders of John Swinney, no other cabinet minister gets a look in.

The party faithful, whose devotion to Ms Sturgeon is near religious, were happy to cheer her on and they clapped loudest when she talked about a second independence referendum.

Just how much energy will an SNP government devote to securing that? It's the big question the manifesto does not answer.