Fringe review: NERDS: THE BILL GATES VS STEVE JOBS COMEDY MUSICAL, Underbelly Bristo Square
Photo credit: Pamela Raith
When you hear that Paul Taylor-Mills is producing a show at the Edinburgh Fringe again, you certainly have high expectations. Nerds: The Bill Gates vs. Steve Jobs Comedy Musical is his next endeavour, joining the long list of Fringe accolades, including: My Son’s a Queer, I Wish You Well, Come Dine With Me: The Musical and more.
Nerds is a witty, self-deprecating comedy transporting us back to 1975, where we meet tech wannabes: a wide-eyed Bill Gates and a cool yet crude Steve Jobs. The show encapsulates their power-hungry plays whilst longing to fit in, through hilarious songs, interesting choreography and epic rap battles.
With creative team Jordan Allen-Dutton and Erik Weiner on book and lyrics, music by Hal Goldberg and director Nick Winston, this UK premiere is bound for great things as it is already proving to be a great time for Edinburgh audiences.
The cast of eight, led by Dan Buckley and Kane Oliver Parry as Gates and Jobs respectively, is nothing short of exceptional, which is what you’d expect from a fully professional cast. Stunning voices, clear characterisation and a strong likeability which leaves you rooting for everyone on stage in some way. A shoutout must go to Curtis Patrick, who shines as ‘Just an Ensemble Guy’, with a great comedic approach, and has such watchability during ensemble numbers.
The thing that lets this production down is its technical elements, which may be too ambitious for this Fringe production. The lighting, at points, was off, with actors only being partially lit, missing spotlights, or only being seen in silhouette whilst they were singing. Equally, there are some sound balance issues, specifically during musical numbers, causing lyrics to be inaudible and sadly missed.
Overall, however, Nerds is 70-minutes of sheer comedy, leaving audiences tapping their feet, laughing out loud and geeking out in this farcical account of the two most iconic tech dudes. Definitely one to add to your Fringe lists!
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Catriona Lamb