Fringe review: Mel & Sam – The Platonic Human Centipede
In their most chaotic, unhinged, and, frankly, hilarious show yet, this duo of musical comedians and online content-creators take the audience on a bizarre and unpredictable journey that, in the end, makes perfect sense. ★★★★★
Mel O’Brien and Sam Andrew waste no time in winning their audience over. They open with a song titled ‘Eat My Ass’, which is not only a reference to the 2009 film The Human Centipede, but is also a peculiar, yet surprisingly endearing way, of showcasing O’Brien and Andrew’s co-dependency.
However, while the title references a now cult-classic of a horror film, this hour-long musical comedy extravaganza is far from anything horrific. The Platonic Human Centipede is built on the premise of the “unsung duos of the modern world”, told through songs and sketches.
We see Bart and Lisa Simpson go hat shopping; Santa and Mrs Claus in couples therapy talking about their love languages (gift giving is, believe it or not, a point of contention); and Robert and Bindi Irwin singing to their father Steve Irwin in heaven.
There’s a whole skit that explores the nightmare that is boardgame night in a share house; an anthem dedicated to “soft girls” who like to stay home with their scented candles and Stanley Cups; and an analysis of how all the theatre girls want to get with the singular ‘mid theatre boy’. Polyamory, nuns with ADHD, and Kristen Stewart even make it in.
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Having built their public profile via podcasting and social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, the duo’s observations of the queer, Gen-Z cultural zeitgeist are spectacular. Their ability to then take those observations and turn them into witty, snappy, sleek comedy gold is unmatched. Their execution, timing, vocals, and comedic intuition are all spot on.
Elevating this year’s performance even further, is the inclusion of voice recordings from the performers’ dads (who, yes, are Boomers). These voice recordings, which often go off script, are peppered between the sketches, introducing and back announcing each act. O’Brien and Andrew brought this element into this year’s show after feedback (generally from Boomers) that their delivery was too fast paced. While the voice recordings do slow things down at points, they also broaden the show’s demographic in a personal and deeply touching way.
As O’Brien and Andrew remind us, there is Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and there is Mark Holden and the touchdown, but, there is also Mel & Sam, who continue to offer audiences joyful celebrations of what it is to be queer, a former theatre kid, and a ‘girlie’ making your way through your twenties.
The Platonic Human Centipede continues at The Lark at Gluttony until March 16
Read more 2025 Adelaide Fringe coverage here on InReview