Review: HAPPY MEAL, Belgrade Theatre Coventry - Tour

Photo credit: Lottie Amor

It’s increasingly important that in today’s social climate we educate each other on identity as much as we can so that everyone can understand, show respect and support each other in a positive way.  

Happy Meal, written by Tabby Lamb, does just that and shows us how two individual’s trans journeys can be so very different. Set in an online (but in real life) situation, we are transported back to the days of dial-up, MSN and very basic gaming communities. Two strangers, Bette and Alex, meet in an online gaming challenge and continue to message each other, forming an unexpected friendship, but it’s easy to hide behind a computer and an online profile.  

Who are they really?  What are they afraid of? And what could possibly go wrong when they agree to meet up in person?

Allie Daniel plays Bette, the experienced gamer who takes Alex, played by Sam Crerar, under their wing as far as online playing is concerned. A friendship evolves until conversations become a bit more personal and they both start questioning their lives and choices.

Directed by Jamie Fletcher (who successfully directed Hedwig and the Angry Inch recently), it’s a stimulating production where the audience immediately warms to the central characters. Feeling their angst, frustration and anxiety when confronted with making important decisions and choices about their future.

Performances are magnificent throughout and you leave the theatre with the feeling that you’ve just made two new online friends, having been involved in the inner most thoughts of their lives.

We would highly recommend you catch this show Besties, and look out for future work by Roots.

Moving, tender and didactic.

**** Four stars.

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

Happy Meal plays at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry until 24 September, with tickets available here.