Remember the good old days, when tech bros were charismatic gizmo-launching dudes in tight black turtlenecks, or went on to found multi-billion dollar charitable foundations? Fun times.
Nerds is a big brash musical that takes us back to the mid-70s beginnings of the PC era, and the seeds of Apple, via their very different figureheads. Mac daddy Steve Jobs – played with stage-straddling relish by Kane Oliver Parry – is a faux-bohemian visionary, while Microsoft’s Bill Gates (an enjoyably unhinged Dan Buckley) is bullied and increasingly embittered. “When you’ve got four eyes,” Gates sings, “that’s twice as many tears.”
Like those early computers, Nerds takes a while to warm up, with some broad, rushed character-establishing, but surges as the companies do, Gates going all supervillain as Windows plots world domination (“run your computer without it? Doubt it”). It is lovely to see a crowd won over as the battle rages, the strong supporting cast get their moments, corporate goons get shafted, while Jobs’ visions drolly foresee our modern gadget foibles.
It may seem a dry subject but, hey, The Big Bang Theory did OK, and Nerds takes lavish liberties: guardian angels, rap battles, a sexy mouse. “I didn’t know much about the actual history,” says one smiling punter, post finale, “so I’m taking that as gospel.” Non-geeks are welcome too.
Nerds: The Bill Gates vs. Steve Jobs Comedy Musical, Underbelly, Bristo Square, until 25 Aug (not 11, 18), 12.30pm