★★★★
Naughty, raunchy & with a healthy dose of absurdism, The Meeples: XXX is the darker, dirtier, sexier version of The Muppets that we never knew we needed.
Awaiting on the winding staircase up to Lime Studio at Greenside George Street, I watched enamoured as a wild menagerie of performers and puppets ascended before us, a cheeky tease of what was awaiting at the top of the building. But whatever I was expecting was quickly surmounted. With dirty puppets made up of all sorts of unspeakable objects, a motley ensemble of performers bringing this fever dream to life and a toe-tapping soundtrack that I definitely didn’t look up the second I left, The Meeples: XXX is a dark comedy puppet show that leaves Sesame Street far behind in their pursuit of felt-based, filthy fun.
Each and every performer has their moment in the spotlight, from Missy LePig and Manimal to the ensemble, bringing a vibrant energy to what would otherwise be a lifeless, black expanse. Interweaving exceptional choreography with comedic quips aplenty and just the right amount of audience participation, Director Jimmy Kontos, Choreographer Tara Lynn Steele and Dance Captain Rebecca Gonzalez have outdone themselves in the pursuit of dark comedy that can stand out at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Whilst the storyline is a little contrived, particularly as we near the closing of the show, the skill of the performers makes the need for a solid plot superfluous, whisking the audience into an awe-inspiring medley of music, dance, stand-up and drama that rivals even the highest-budget cabaret shows. Instead, we are treated to a fierce, empowering expression of creativity that has something for everyone with a mind dirty enough to comprehend what’s in front of them.
Standout performances are given by Peyton Conley as Missy LePig, channelling the fierceness of her namesake yet still with a humour and grace that can so easily be lost in a show of this type. Cherry Sue, portrayed by Jenny Koon, also shines throughout, with her incredible vocal range breathing new life into almost every musical number in the show. A commanding, domineering presence, Koon holds the room on her every word, move & note at a second’s notice.
But the true standout performances come from the Peeple – our ensemble – who take this performance from good to exceptional. Grantham Durham, Megan Zhang, Isabel Chistoni, Piper Griesel, Hannah Talbot & Max Allen, alongside Steele & Gonzalez, bring an unrivalled energy, skill and grace to the stage at all times. Whether it’s a big dance break or a healthy dose of expositional background acting, I have rarely seen an ensemble who not only excite and entertain, but empower, to the point where I wanted to join them on stage for the remainder of the show.
There are some shows that can’t be done justice through words alone; they simply must be seen to be believed. The Meeples: XXX is one of those shows. Making puppets sexy is no easy task, but that is what this production does so well. Suitably rude, raunchy, but still with an undercurrent of class & style, this show is absolutely not to be missed. I hope it becomes a staple of the Fringe Festival for many years to come & that as many as possible get the opportunity to witness this tour de force of dark comedy.