Bite the Bullet

The fractious rock group reunion is hardly uncharted comedic territory, but it’s done here with a spry sense of humour and a lot of charm.

Scottish duo The Tell Tales have reunited for a gig 20 years after their single ‘Bite the Bullet’ briefly made them superstars in Japan. Carl (Sandy Nelson) is now a family photographer and a pissed-up Les (Keith Warwick) spends his time selling golf holidays in Dubai.

The show skips nimbly between the present day and scenes of the pair as self-important teenagers skulking away in Carl’s bedroom and comparing idols, or trying to come up with a band name as they play gigs on local university radio.

Nelson and Warwick’s script is packed with wry observations about the changing face of the music industry between starting out in the 80s and now. It also neatly depicts the danger of turning into a massive coked-up cliché as soon as a modicum of success comes knocking.

Les and Carl are affectionately drawn and believably screwed up; they’re the archetypal odd couple who can’t do without each other, however much they try. Kirstin McLean provides strong support in various roles, notably as the pair's no-nonsense agent (and Les’s girlfriend) Zara.

Realistic without being bleakly cynical, this gently witty production conveys the nonsense of the music business but also why people bother with it in the first place. When Les and Carl stop bickering, pick up their instruments and sing into the mic, it’s a joy to hear.