I suspect I used to pass Lorraine’s (Andrea Powell) fading Face and Hair Salon in Reservoir High St. And I’m sure I knew the stolid assistant, Jade, (Geraldine Hickey) at Heidelberg Tech – I recognised the moccasins. It was all confirmed when they found those dodgy cans of International Roast, on which the plot of this ridiculous drama, in the nicest comedy sense, turns, in the Merri Creek. I already felt at home anyway.  Auntie Val (Scott Brennan) made sure our seats were comfy and had a nice view – it’s that’s sort of show.

Things aren’t great at Maison Lorraine.  Custom is dying – most of it in the hairdressing chair – and the skip in the yard soon has more corpses the curlers.  A takeover bid threatens from the glitzy salon across the road when fate takes a hand.

The characters are over the top and wonderful.  Powell lurches from sweetness to violent rage, Hickey’s deadpan performance is matched only by her singing voice and Brennan, dragging himself through two female parts and two male parts, is versatile and funny.  It’s a celebration of silliness and unapologetic over-acting.  It’s a little bit corny and a little bit campy and none the worse for that.  I laughed out loud, as did lots of others in the audience.  Lorraine matches ‘Half-price Brazilians’ across the road with ‘Half-price for Jews’ on her side, while true bogan Jade enjoys a Chiko Roll as she is chased by dogs. ‘Bloody things,’ she complains, ‘Don’t know why they let blind people have them!’

The show will get stronger as it settles in and allows itself more freedom to ad lib and improvise.  Even now, Lorraine’s Face and Hair is a lot of fun. Take yourself along for the full treatment.