Q&A: EDINBURGH 2024: Lyndon Chapman on IS THE WIFI GOOD IN HELL?

BWW caught up with Lyndon Chapman about bringing Is the WiFi Good in Hell? to the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

How did you first get involved in the world of theatre?

My first theatre experience was watching my sister in a very legitimate production of

Annie at the Theatre Royal Margate in 2002 - where they called it Pennie to avoid paying

the copyright fee. It’s been love ever since.

Can you tell us about your show, Is the WiFi Good in Hell??

Is the WiFi Good in Hell? is a queer coming-of-age odyssey. It’s 2008 in Margate, and

12-year-old Dev has just realised that gay people exist. Think A Beautiful Thing meets

This Country - the show examines how seaside gentrification and homophobia can affect

people’s sense of belonging.

What inspired you to write Is the WiFi Good in Hell??

I had the biggest urge to get various things off my chest. I wasn’t sure on the medium, but

after I was offered a place on the Soho Theatre Writers’ Lab in 2021, it spewed out into the

play. It went on to be commissioned by Brixton House in 2023 for their Housemates

Festival, where it really came into its own.

What was the creative process like for Is the WiFi Good in Hell??

Ugly at points - yet completely satisfying and fulfilling at other points. The play being

commissioned in 2023 by Brixton House, as a part of their Housemates Festival, shaped it

into what it is today (and it meant finding Will Armstrong to work his director magic!).

What is it like telling a story about the place you grew up, Margate?

Well, Primark has gone for one (RIP). Since 2008 it’s become unrecognisable - but I can

still see through its shiny facade. A lot of work made in Margate, currently, is made by

people who’ve moved here in the last few years (or just TV people from London). So to

make a queer coming-of-age show about Margate that feels really REAL is exhilarating

and terrifying. I hope the people who come can connect to a part of themselves that they

may have forgotten about through the show.

What is it like bringing Is the WiFi Good in Hell? to the Edinburgh Fringe?

Well, I’ve been drinking more Red Bull than is medically allowed. It’s been a LOT of work

(especially for my producer, Simon, who has become a 24-hour Twitter demon). I’m in

equal parts horrified and ecstatic for the opportunity.

What do you hope audiences take away from Is the WiFi Good in Hell??

When we see a part of ourselves reflected on stage, in a very human way, it’s precious and

exciting. It makes theatre more than just showing off. That, and we hope audiences have a

good laugh.

How would you describe Is the WiFi Good in Hell? in one word?

WHOOOOOSH (seaside noise).

Is the WiFi Good in Hell? runs from 1 to 25 August (no performance on 12 August) at Underbelly Cowgate at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Photo Credit: Rich Lakos

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