Edinburgh Fringe Highlights: From Rosie O’Donnell’s Bold Return to Lorna Rose Treen’s Eccentric Characters

Lorna Rose Treen

Among the most talked-about acts at this year’s Fringe are character-driven comedy performances that move beyond traditional stand-up. Leading this trend is Lorna Rose Treen, whose show unfolds in a diner setting featuring quirky personas such as a waitress who consumes her tips, a truck driver with improbably long arms, and a socially awkward teenager plotting to snare a jock. Treen’s blend of absurd humor and charm has resonated strongly with audiences and critics alike, drawing comparisons to the iconic British sketch duo French and Saunders.

Prior to this month’s festival, Treen had already cultivated a dedicated following through her offbeat videos on Instagram and TikTok, collaborating with fellow emerging British character comedians like Ada Player and Alice Cockayne—both of whom are also selling out shows at the Fringe.

Treen recently noted that the appeal of character comedy at the Fringe lies in audiences’ desire for escapism amid challenging current events, as these performances transport viewers into imaginative and unusual worlds. Regardless of the reason, her shows continue to expand in number and consistently sell out.

Rosie O’Donnell

Comedian and actor Rosie O’Donnell attracted significant attention earlier this summer after a public dispute involving a threat on social media to revoke her U.S. citizenship following her outspoken criticism of former President Trump. This controversy has heightened interest in her new Fringe production, “Common Knowledge,” which debuted at the festival’s opening and concluded last week.