EDINBURGH 2025: Lorna Rose Treen Q&A

BWW caught up with Lorna Rose Treen to chat about bringing 24 Hour Diner People to the 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tell us a bit about 24 Hour Diner People.

24 Hour Diner People is a character comedy show set in an out of time out of space liminal diner, in a fictionalised version of what I think America is based on what I've seen on TV growing up in the 00s. It's stupid, surreal, high energy and like a live cartoon. 

Why was it important for you to bring a joy-filled show to the festival?

I think as the world gets heavier and more difficult to exist in, contributing an hour of escapist nonsense is the least I could do. That, and recycle my plastics!

Having had such a successful couple of years at the Fringe, are you feeling any pressure?

Yeah! Of course!!! But what a privilege! Such nice problem to have. But it's all nonsense isn't it, when you start to be too critical like "maybe it's not as good" you had to slap yourself and say "you're playing a trucker with really really long arms what are you on about there are people who have to do only spreadsheets for a job (fine if you love doing them btw I'm just bad at them!!!) I've set myself some challenges for this show and I've used them as a focus point to make sure I'm growing as a performer and a writer. Namely, I wanted a story and to set all the characters in one place. 

Do you think you've got a pretty good idea of what to expect from the Fringe now?

Fringe is always different, but i've been doing it since I was a student whilst studying at Edinburgh university. I was so lucky to get into the improverts (Edinburgh's longest running improv troupe) Check them out! Super silly late night chaos, alumni include me, Jonathan Oldfield, Jodie Mitchell and the amazing David Elms who has his INCREDIBLE improv show Describes a Room up this year too - I urge you to go! The improverts was a great way to cut my teeth on the fringe in a financially safe way. I've been very lucky that because of the pre pandemic time period and going to ed uni, I was able to try and fail and try and fail in front of sold out audiences at the fringe. Doing solo professional shows is obviously a whole other kettle of legs, but knowing the city well and this being my second rodeo gives a definite comfort! 

What would you like audiences to take away from it?

Absolutely nothing - just want them to have laughed loads tbh! Maybe just having forgot about the outside world for an hour? 

Lorna-Rose Treen will be performing 24 Hour Diner People at Pleasance Courtyard (Beneath) from 30th July - 24th August. Ticket link HERE.