Underbelly Bristo Square hosts one of the most exhilarating musical comedies of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe: Nerds, a high-voltage, laugh-out-loud journey through the birth of the digital age. With book and lyrics by Jordan Allen-Dutton and Erik Weiner, and music by Hal Goldberg, this UK premiere is a masterclass in musical parody, directed with flair by Nick Winston.
Set in 1975, Nerds charts the rise of two tech titans, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, from garage-bound dreamers to global powerhouses. Alongside their equally brilliant partners, Paul Allen and Steve Wozniak, the show explores the rivalry, innovation, and corporate chaos that shaped the modern world. The set, a nostalgic blend of vintage computers and a glowing circuit board backdrop, cleverly evokes the analogue roots of our digital present.
Kane Oliver Parry is magnetic as Steve Jobs, blending physical comedy with visionary intensity. His portrayal of Jobs as a tech prophet, able to glimpse the future through tactile connection with devices, is both hilarious and oddly moving. Dan Buckley brings a charming awkwardness to Bill Gates, while Ethan Pascal Peters is delightfully eccentric as Wozniak. Elliott Evans shines as Paul Allen, delivering warmth and wit in equal measure.
The supporting cast is equally strong: Elise Zavou and Teleri Hughes bring depth and energy to Sally and Myrtle, while Curtis Patrick and Julie Yammanee add comic flair in multiple roles, including a memorable turn as IBM’s Tom Watson.
Musically, Nerds is a triumph. From genre-hopping ensemble numbers to heartfelt ballads, the score is endlessly inventive. “Down and Out in Silicon Valley” is a standout, capturing the emotional toll of tech ambition with humour and heart. And yes, there’s a rap battle between Gates and Jobs that is as absurd and glorious as it sounds.
The choreography is slick and playful, perfectly complementing the fast-paced narrative. The script is razor-sharp, balancing satire with surprising emotional depth, and despite focusing on the male characters, succeeds in giving the female characters meaningful arcs, while the show doesn’t shy away from showing how the rise of Gates and Jobs affected those around them.
It’s a joyous, camp and hilarious look at some of the most iconic figures in tech history, Nerds is a must-see Fringe gem that proves even the nerdiest stories can make for the most thrilling theatre.
