Fresh from a run at Edinburgh Fringe at Pleasance, Lorna Rose Treen is an agile one-woman show, consistently humorous and wonderfully well-rounded. Belly laughs are a guarantee at this Diner!
Opening with an original song, akin to a Studio Ghibli tune, Treen takes us on a masterclass in audience interaction, perfectly integrated within the show and the narrative. Even where playing with the audience was at its riskiest (with one audience member being asked to read lines for several scenes) Treen did not drop the ball once.
The spirit of madness is infused into this show, from a poem underscored by ratatouille soundtrack, to the ridiculously long-limbed trucker, to the pre-show mock menu offering a taste of what’s to come. Each character inhabiting the diner is joined up to the next through rapid scene changes aided by sharp lighting and nifty sound cues. Every now and then the soft spoken hostess on the show’s poster reappears to punctuate the tale of each character’s dreams and whims, building towards a robbery plot line.
Not to mention the physical comedy and adept use of props to construct the vast cast of characters. A highlight was the hanging dress and brace-like structure that helped to create a character who can only be described as a delirious Ugly Betty, her undying wish being to kiss her school crush, with a brilliant high octane monologue to accompany. Owing to the dress, her presence lingered in the corner of the stage, which further accentuated her creepy traits.
It was a joy to witness the people of the Diner, well-portioned into a clever show that’s always one step ahead of the audience. Not forgetting a fully deserved standing ovation for dessert!
‘Lorna Rose Treen: 24 Hour Diner People’ runs until 13th September at Soho Theatre with tickets available at: https://sohotheatre.com/events/lorna-rose-treen-24-hour-diner-people/#performances
Reviewer: Eleanor Hall
Reviewed: 9th September 2025
North West End UK Rating: