Laura Horton is coming to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with her show Lynn Faces, a reference to the Alan Partridge character Lynn Benfield. For fans of Partridge, Lynn needs no explanation. For the uninitiated, Lynn is Alan’s long-suffering personal assistant, known for her meek demeanour, unwavering loyalty and – most of all – her iconic facial expressions. Laura takes Lynn’s energy and runs with it in her debut show heading to Edinburgh this August.
Tell us about Lynn Faces.
Lynn Faces is about a woman on the verge of 40 who leaves a toxic relationship and starts a punk band inspired by Lynn from Alan Partridge to try and heal. It’s been in my head for a long time, so it feels incredible to finally be bringing it to life.
How does Lynn Faces differ from your previous work?
It’s unlike anything I’ve written before. My first two plays, Labyrinth Diet and Breathless were both monologues. I’ve since been working on four further plays, The Shredder, Life Underwater and two other, as yet unnamed pieces, but they are all formally quite different too. Lynn Faces is honestly quite bizarre, and I think the first time I’ve allowed myself to lean into my instinct for silliness.
What was your childhood career dream?
Writing was always the dream, though lollypop person and wildlife photographer were also childhood aspirations. I’d daydream about being a writer, I just never thought it would be possible.
Lynn and Alan Partridge have obviously had a huge influence on you. Which episode would you recommend to someone who has never seen that show before?
I love them all, but if I had to pick one I’d say Watership Alan, Season 1, episode 3 of ‘I’m Alan Partridge.’ Alan insults Norfolk farmers and it has my absolutely favourite moment in it.
What are you most looking forward to about Edinburgh and the Fringe?
My mum is taking her first play, In the Lady Garden, to the Fringe with the Pleasance and Theatre Royal Plymouth Partnership and I’m so excited to be up there with her. I can’t wait to see how audiences respond to our shows, and it will be so special to have each other as support. I also just love the city and I can’t wait to take in some shows and take it all in.
Lynn Faces will be performed at 7.35pm in Summerhall Main Hall from 1st – 26th August (Not 12th or 19th)