Review: Byte Me by Mark Edwards

Performed by MHP Theatre

FIRST things first. Well done to MHP Theatre for once again, working with an original script by a local writer (Mark Edwards).

The play centre on The Swan pub in Wheathampstead and a local’s attempt to “drag them all into the digital age”.

After opening conversations, they all agree to attend Tom’s IT seminar in the back room where they eventually decide upon a podcast and invite a celebrity, who to their surprise accepts the invitation.

This is a play, where its greatest strength is at the end. It is beautifully concluded. Where the IT-phobes learn that there are so many advantages to the digital age and a wonderfully philosophical conclusion by Stephanie (played by Helen Rees) that makes the whole play.

It made this reviewer, who has run two digital newspapers for seventeen years, go home and have a good think. It was a perfect finish.

And sometimes, this was also our world: “What time does Your Harlow open?” and “I didn’t see the story as I am not in Harlow” are a couple of recent pearlers!

Before that, we quite enjoyed the play. it was amiable. Ralph Camp’s Brian was a bit stuck in the seventies but that type of bloke is! However, there was a great “break the fourth wall” moment at end of the first half.

All the characters were well carved out. You can tell, MHP Theatre enjoy acting together. There were very relaxed and sometimes you just watched the pub locals knot or play cards.

And every now and then, there was a cracking line and emotive moment: from Brian’s loneliness, the e-mail from Lagos, painting the chicken and many more.

The running joke with the sticky bar was very funny.

The surprise celebrity was a stroke of genius. We would love to know what came first. Lisa Turpcu was perfect for the role and played her very well.

Sone people may have only been acting for five or six years but they are are joy to see on stage. Here we had Ginny Elliston and Helen Rees whilst Linda Helm-Manley was a very assured Lady Katherine.

Mike Rees was also very assured and had a relaxed charm. Whilst Myles Lovell was wonderfully dynamic but also got the point of the play across. The hat tossing was a great running joke.

There was also solid assistance from Melissa Jones, Jane Browne and of course, Joan Lanario.

We had a couple of qualms. We felt it dragged towards the end of the first half. Indeed the end just petered out and the audience weren’t sure if it was the interval.

The podcast looked a bit dated, as it it was a depiction of what a podcast in the eighties might look like..

But it was such a strong finish and such a great message that certainly resonated with this reviewer.

The digital curtain call was also very clever.

We look forward to more work by Mike Edwards.