Leah has just had a break-up and formed a band called Lynn Faces with her friends. None of them can play any instruments properly, but that doesn’t matter; they’re a punk band (even if one member isn’t sure what that means) inspired by Alan Partridge’s downtrodden assistant Lynn Benfield. And now, on the eve of Leah’s 40th birthday, the band’s doing its first gig and we’re the audience watching the awkward performance unravel. 

The band gets big laughs as we watch them fumble their way through a series of poorly rehearsed songs with titles like ‘Snazzy Cardigan’, ‘Sex Fingers’ and ‘Snazzy Cardigan Part Two’. But the real meat of the story comes between songs, as the banter back and forth slowly reveals more about Leah’s relationship with her ex, Pete. 

Writer Laura Horton told a sensitive story in Breathless, her previous (award-winning) outing at the Fringe, and Lynn Faces treads similar ground. There’s a serious story of coercive control here, framed by absurdity which doesn’t always quite land. It strikes a hopeful note, touching on how to take back power. The ending feels rushed, leaving us wanting to know more about Leah rebuilding her confidence, but we get the feeling that she’s got this. 

Lynn Faces, Summerhall, until 26 August, 7.35pm.