MEAT &#8211; preview

After a sell-out tour in 2025, MEAT comes to Brighton fringe; a brilliantly bold, tour-de-force performance, hilariously funny, profoundly emotional, a powerhouse production from Elle Dillon-Reams.

In an age of patriarchy, where women’s bodies are commodified objects, MEAT is an electrifying roar of fury, a rallying cry of protest, a unifying celebration of strength packed with heroism & heart. Shame breeds in silence, this show gives a safe space to roar, for anyone who’s got a body.

‘ Men are afraid that women will laugh at them.
Women are afraid that men will kill them.’
MARGARET ATWOOD

Follow ‘A girl’ from age 9 into her 30s, detailing her journey through puberty, misogyny, and identity. A solo performer, but a story that is all of ours.

Based on verbatim accounts. MEAT is a playful and poignant exploration of identity. A dirty dive into the foundations of power, an injection of a new narrative. A theatrical hybrid of poetry, clowning, cabaret and dance featuring original music written by multi-award winner Elle Dillon-Reams.

Elle Dillon-Reams.

Elle Dillon-Reams is a neurodiverse, queer artist, originally from Brighton.

Elle is published by Verve Poetry Press & will be performing a bespoke hour long special set as part of Verve’s takeover of Ledbury Literature festival in June.

A multi award winner of Poetry Slams across the UK including Hammer & Tongue, Genesis, and Loud Poets, Elle was selected by Craig Charles and BBC6 Music as part of the Poetry class of 2023, featuring on BBC6 Music’s prestigious National Poetry Day Programme alongside Tim Key, Lemn Sissay, Nitin Sawney, and Arlo Parks. She has since had several commissions from the BBC, and has performed her poetry at festivals including Glastonbury, Latitude, and The Edinburgh International Festival

Her debut solo show ‘HoneyBEE’ sold out its entire run and received all 5 and 4-star reviews at The Brighton Fringe 2019 after which she won the Three Week’s Editor’s award for performance and Best Newcomer from The Scotsman in Edinburgh 2019.

Elle took both solo shows to Edinburgh in 2023, and last year toured the UK with them both to critical acclaim.

You’ll be able to see Elle’s poem “Forehead kisses for supper” on buses across Chichester this summer. And next month, she’ll preview her new work Buoy at Chichester Festival Theatre as part of the inaugural New Writing South Playwright’s showcase.

Written & performed by Elle Dillon-Reams

Directed by Len Gwynn & Roann Hassani McCloskey

Musical Direction & Vocals: Porscha Present

Sound Design: Xana & Frew

Movement Direction: Mel Gleeson & Chess Dillon-Reams

Cello & Vocals: Rachel Barnes

Dramaturgy: Natasha Vasandani

Reviews

Brilliantly executed. Tears up the rulebook. MEAT is perfectly disobedient.

– The Scotsman

★★★★1/2

A tour-de-force performance fusing spoken word and physical theatre. Playful, witty, empowering.