Muriel @ Underbelly Cowgate

Fresh out of a place called the Internet comes Muriel

Review by Jenni Ajderian | 09 Aug 2017

A trio of confident performers, Janine Harouni, Meg Salter and Sally O’Leary are each capable of huge acts of slapstick and subtle impressions in equal measure. From viral video successes they have created an hour of sketches that take us from the sublime to the ridiculous, from new hiring policies at NASA to an elongated rap about chicken. Though they used an online platform to reach a wide audience, Muriel aren’t precious about it, and many of their sketches actively mock the kinds of material you’ll find on the web, whether that’s lacklustre How-to videos or over-preened lifestyle vloggers.

This is a tight and original hour of sketches, each one perfectly angled to its audience. No prior knowledge is needed: even if you’re a stranger to the world of online video, the comic timing and odd use of WordArt alone will have you giggling away. The characters presented throughout are easily recognisable, largely over-confident and very physical. Though there are a few nods towards current events, the emphasis is on the silliest thing the trio can come up with, a few common through-lines tying each scene together in a way that adds extra interest without trying to be too meta.


Muriel: Bad Master, Underbelly, Cowgate (Delhi Belly), until 27 Aug (not 14), 1.20pm, £8-10