Those of us that dined at Lorna’s diner will never be able to erase the depravity from our memories, and we loved every second of it.
Treen draws the audience in as her customers, inviting them to witness the hysterically crazy characters that come through the doors of her American café. She works as a lowly waitress with dreams of moving to the big city: she just needs to quit eating her tips.
24 Hour Diner People manages to be even more consistent and polished than her previous show Skin Pigeon. From an undercover spy to a woman that never ages, the show is packed with characters that feel both familiar and fresh, Treen always surprising us with the unexpected direction they take. Like her coffees, the show is a perfect blend of beautifully cringeworthy one liners, character comedy, and utter surrealism.
Treen turns members of the audience into comedians themselves. Through her expert direction and encouragement, a newly found confidence and excitement becomes apparent in every viewer who steps in to play one of her characters. Everyone has been wrapped into Treen’s infectious charm and joy. This is also what saves Treen from early-run prop malfunctions: everyone is too entranced by her to care.
So come on down, grab a brew, because everyone is welcome at Lorna’s diner.
Lorna Rose Treen: 24 Hour Diner People, Pleasance Courtyard, until Aug 24 (not 12), 6.20pm