You know you've seen a great play at the Edinburgh Fringe when you rush off to catch another piece and can't concentrate because it's all you can think about. Lorraine & Alan is one such production; a piece of theatre so endearing and charming that we have some serious life questions for anyone who thinks otherwise.
A modern retelling of the Selkie myth, it sees Marine Biology graduate Alan (high 2:2, FYI) discovering a young woman lying amongst the seals on the Norfolk coastline. Over the course of the hour she is bought home, decides on a name after watching Lorraine Kelly on TV, and gradually begins to start a new life with the amiable 23-year-old who discovered her.
Lorraine & Alan (Photo: Bucket Club)
Bucket Club's production is full to the brim (LIKE A BUCKET) with great little touches: when they have a little boy, it's represented by a little buoy. At one point, the (indescribably brilliant) on-stage musicians sing 'Kiss From A Rose'... by Seal. Whenever Alan's parents are mentioned, they are represented on-stage by large bottles of water; one of which is emptied of its contents when (spoiler!) death strikes.
More Edinburgh Fringe:
(Photo: Facebook/Bucket Club)
Actors Adam Farrell and Katie Sherrard do a wonderful job of enchanting their audience with their telling of the story, and musicians David Ridley (also sound designer) and Becky Ripley (also co-writer) support them with aplomb. Ripley's daytime TV 'sound effect' is especially fabulous. Director Nel Crouch's production is funny, touching, exquisitely crafted and, ultimately, completely unmissable.
5/5
Read our interview with director Nel Crouch here.
Lorraine & Alan runs daily at 13:30 until August 25 (not 9) at the Pleasance Dome (Venue 23)
