REVIEW: Bite, Dundee Fringe 2026 ★★★★

Bite follows childhood best friends Ashleigh, Brooke and Christine, who are on a camping trip. Although they were close in school, they have grown apart in adulthood, and this trip is the first time they’ve seen each other in over two years. Over prosecco, polite catch-ups and campfire stories, secrets are spilled, and the girls are forced to confront their personal demons.

The script paints a vivid picture of the spooky campsite as the girls tell stories around the campfire. They’re eerie enough to keep us invested in the show’s plot, but not so scary that we’re looking over our shoulder when we leave the theatre. Contrastingly, some of the scenes feel quite cosy: the fragile truce they reach when they are playing Truth or Dare evokes fond memories of playing the game ourselves when we were younger.

Each of the characters have distinct personalities: Ashleigh is the slightly snobbish, fun loving one, Brooke has just returned after spending two years abroad, where she barely spoke to anyone from home, and quiet Christine spends her time either in front of her computer or camping in the wilderness. It is Ashleigh who is the most interesting character: she provides most of the play’s comic relief, and her sarcasm and quick wit is fun to watch. The familiar dynamic of childhood friends who don’t really like each other is portrayed well, and as the story progresses, the impact that countless arguments and grudges have had on their friendship becomes clear.

As this was a rehearsed reading, it’s hard to comment on the acting. The actors fit into the roles well and put on strong performances, but it’s obvious that they’re somewhat limited by not being able to move around the stage. There are some stand out moments in there though: Christine’s lack of emotion towards the end of the play adds to the creepy, unsettling atmosphere, while the narrator’s sound effects frequently have the audience in stitches.

Bite is still in its early stages, but it is a strong concept featuring interesting characters. With the correct staging and further development, I can see it being a success. It brilliantly balances a friendship dynamic that’s familiar to lots of people with the perfect amount of horror.

Recommended Drink: a Bloody Mary.

Performances of Bite have concluded at Dundee Fringe 2026.

Image Credit: Peter Williams