Theatre / living spit
Review: Giants of Science, Bristol Old Vic
Howard Coggins and Stu Mcloughlin, a.k.a. Living Spit, performed their first show, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, in the studio at Bristol Old Vic way back in 2012. They’ve since popped up at small theatres all over the south-west with a succession of very funny shows, most often with an historical theme, but this is the first time they’ve come back to the Old Vic, where they are delivering this piece of lecture-theatre in the brand new (and rather lovely) Weston Studio.
They say on their website that Howard knows nothing about science and Stu knows even less. But from the outset it’s clear that this simply isn’t true, and that the pair of them have in fact very carefully researched the selection of scien-triffic giants they showcase in this ‘lecture’.
Both appearing as Albert Einstein, a device they use to attempt an explanation of the Theory of Special Relativity while at the same time acknowledging that the majority of the audience won’t get it*, they take us on a whistle-stop tour of scientific greatness starting with Greek philosopher Thales and his prediction of a solar eclipse in 585 BC and ending with Einstein’s death, from an abdominal aortic aneurysm, in 1955.
is needed now More than ever
Along the way we learn a variety of facts about Galileo, Isaac Newton, Mary Anning, Ada Lovelace and Charles Darwin, all delivered with humour and a fair amount of song. They also acknowledge some of the other giants they could have included, if they hadn’t strived to keep the show to a very watchable one hour 40 minutes (with 20-minute interval).
Part of the Bristol Family Arts Festival, and suitable for ages 12 and above, Giants of Science will appeal to anyone interested in science and up for a giggle.
And by the way, Living Spit fans don’t have to wait another six years to see them at Bristol Old Vic again: they’ll be back in the Weston Studio from December 14-22 with their version of the Nativity, which will definitely be on my Christmas viewing list.
*I Googled Einstein’s Theory of Special Relativity this morning; they were right, I don’t really get it, but a show that makes me Google will always get my vote.
Giants of Science continues at Bristol Old Vic’s Weston Studio until Saturday, Nov 3, as part of Bristol Family Arts Festival 2018. For more info, visit bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/giants-of-science
Read more: Review: The Duke, Tobacco Factory Theatres
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
