The Tangram Theatre are touring the country with a little gem called Albert Einstein: Relatively Speaking , and Nathalie Blonder was lucky enough to go see it when they came to Leeds…
If someone were to ask you what comes to mind when you think of Albert Einstein, I’m sure you wouldn’t think theatre. However the delightful Tangram Theatre have produced a show that essentially allows its audience to relate to a world-renowned physicist. The very thought of combining science and the stage had me rushing to the ticket office. It’s just a shame that when I went to see it at The Carriageworks I received an unfortunately frosty reception.
Having said that as soon as I sat down with a bag of Minstrels in my hand and my faithful mother at my side I quickly warmed to the place as I saw a man looking very much the part welcoming members of the audience in a German accent. You could tell straight away that this was going to be a comedy as he formally introduced himself onstage and found himself interrupted a number of times by the – for-some-reason American – announcer. The props were very simple – a telephone, a pendulum, talcum powder, a keyboard, and a lectern. I really, really liked the minimalist touch. Everything on stage had a reason for being there, and each prop complemented the physical gags throughout the play.
As soon as Einstein – AKA John Hinton – burst into song explaining how he became a physicist I knew I was going to love this performance even more than I expected. Jo Eagle, who accompanied on piano, acted as Einstein’s wife Elsa and other female roles key to the scientist’s life. Each song they sang, and occasionally rapped, was fantastically and originally written, combining comedy with science to absolute perfection. Rhyme, pop culture references, and plenty of toilet humour and sexual innuendos had the audience in hysterics.
I loved that Albert Einstein: Relatively Speaking was not performed in the expected chronological order but instead played with time through costume, lighting and clever segues – considering how low-budget the performance was with a cast of two, it was beyond belief.
Hinton explained Einstein’s scientific theories not only in song but also through audience participation (something that normally that has me gritting my teeth and trying to avoid the attentions of the performer). However, using a couple of volunteers and some basic mathematics, he actually explained the Inertial Reference Frame in such a coherent manner that even a dum-dum like me could understand. I have been blessed with an understanding of the basic mechanics of time-travel, which is bloody brilliant by the way. Even better, at the end of the show I was given a piece of paper with a glossary of terms so I could reflect on everything I’d heard with a newly-educated mind!
I don’t want to give too much away because it is so mind-bogglingly, side-splittingly, beyond your wildest dreams fantastic that I want, I need you to see this performance. I especially recommend it to families because there are elements of humour there for everyone – hopefully the double-entendres will go over the heads of little ones. They are touring up and down through country right up until May so you’ve got plenty of time to get your tickets booked and your brains ready because they are about to be blown with such ferocity you won’t know what’s hit you.
If you want to know more about the Albert Einstein: Relatively Speaking and the Tangram Theatre, click the respective links!