Nerds – Ed Fringe 2025

Nerds: Underbelly, Bristo Square – Cowbarn

20th August 2025

★★★★★

Nerds tells the story of Bill Gates, the mastermind behind Microsoft, and Steve Jobs, the innovator of the smartphone, in a hilarious musical comedy diving into the deeper connection between two of the most iconic inventors of the digital age. This original musical, featuring a packed West End cast, has been workshopped over the last 10 years with plans to take it to Broadway and it is now playing at Edinburgh Fringe. Featuring sharp wit, showstopping numbers, and a story packed with heart it is a high-energy production.

Nerds is a perfect mix of comedy, romance and fun. The performances are excellent from all of the cast, many of whom play various roles. Dan Buckley manages to truly embody the complete nerdiness of Bill Gates and his slightly unhinged journey to ruin Steve Jobs. Buckley’s vocals are strong, particularly during his emotional song in the first part of the show – making the whole audience rooting for the underdog. Kane Oliver Parry plays the effortlessly cool 70’s hippy Jobs to perfection showing that as well as being a ‘cool dude’ he is also super intelligent with cut throat ambition and willing to go to any lengths. Again, Parry’s vocals are polished and slick, as are the entire company’s.

The music by Hal Goldberg is really fun, catchy and upbeat with some clever lyrics and also includes few slower, emotional songs to draw in the audience too. Nerds really takes the audience on a journey over the hour as Gates and Jobs battle it out and the roles are reversed. Jordan Allen-Dutton and Erik Weiner’s book and lyrics are witty and the clever references to our over use of technology and social media today work brilliantly and throughout the show the jokes consistently land with the audience. Direction and choreography by Nick Winston is clever, using the small space extremely well and is performed excellently by the talented cast. Any musical theatre nerds will also love the irony of the “ensemble guy’s” curtain call costume.

The Fringe is a great platform for this new musical and it simply excels. It’s full of heart, hilarious comedy and superb talent – what’s not to love! Everyone needs to embrace their inner nerd and hotfoot it to see this show.

For more information and tickets click here.

Photo Credit: Pamela Raith

AD – PR invite in exchange for a honest review.