It’s not often you walk into a theatre and be instantly transported back to the days of Club Penguin and MySpace, but that’s what Tabby Lamb does with this homage to social media. Before Happy Meal officially starts, we’re introduced to confidently chirpy Bette (Allie Daniel) and the more introspective Alex (Sam Crerar) complete with penguin costumes and peppy game music.
The pair strip off their penguin persona and continue conducting their relationship online, presenting themselves exactly as they please with the anonymity living behind a screen offers.
With little in the way of props on stage, Ben Stones’ cloudy set perfectly encapsulates the dichotomy of social media as the pair are both isolated yet connected. The show offers a good reflection on the freedom living online gave us entering the internet age, especially back when MySpace was still the place to be. Accentuated by Daniel Denton’s superb visuals relaying conversations and statuses, the pair move on from MySpace, onto Facebook and Twitter developing their relationship and personal identities.
The dialogue is full of early millennial text speak – prepare to cringe a little hearing “lol jk”- and glides between the light hearted and heavy; it’s clear how much can be understood but left unsaid online.
Both characters are immensely likeable, and you instantly root for them as they experience and embrace their queerness in different ways. Their IRL union is delayed until the very end and it’s exactly the happy ending you’d hope for.
Perhaps some of the millennial references may go over your head, but don’t get caught up in the obscure ones and simply enjoy the show as a tale of accepting yourself and others.
Following a successful run at Edinburgh Fringe, Happy Meal performs at The Belgrade until Saturday 24th September. Purchase tickets here https://www.belgrade.co.uk/events/happy-meal/
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Katie Reviews 