In last year’s Fringe a tabloid newspaper announced that Lorna Rose Treen ‘killed comedy’. This year Lorna sets her sights on killing theatre with her character driven sketch show. Set in an American diner, she plays a variety of crazy personalities all with their own agenda: A (literal) money-hungry waitress who is haunted by strange premonitions, an (actual) ‘under cover’ spy, and a gangster’s moll.
She cleverly makes use of the sell-out audience, promoting some of the crowd to named cast members and patrons of her surreal diner where the chaos unfolds.
One gentleman was recruited to play the on-the-run gangster, setting out to steal enough to open his dream ‘soft-wear shop’. Lorna directed him with surprising precision for a bit that relied on a good sport, earning his deserved applause. It was like watching a surreal version of Pulp Fiction’s stick-up scene.
Lorna frantically jumps between characters with manic energy – adding to the physicality and expressive comedy which fuels her crazy customers.
Her use of props is also witty – blow-up dolls, extra-long arms and an umbilical cord – all leave a lasting impression. And when a certain prop didn’t work as intended at the finale, the fast-paced sketch has built up enough goodwill with the crowd that it doesn’t matter.
Lorna Rose Treen: 24 Hour Diner People, 18:20, Pleasance Courtyard (Beneath), Until Aug 24 (not 12th)
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/lorna-rose-treen-24-hour-diner-people
