Brainiac Live!
Garrick Theatre
Reviewed – 2nd August 2019
★★★★
“a fantastic show for young audiences and their families”
This show is quite literally, explosive, in both its energy and experiments. It certainly delivers more than the snap, crackle and pop from your morning cereal! Based on the original Sky TV show made by ITV studios, Brainiac Live! is a series of experiments, using everyday situations and making them extraordinary. It is a dazzling display of how exciting science can be. The four ‘Brainiacs’, fronted by ‘Ned’ (Andy Joyce), have an infectious energy, so you can’t help but become engrossed in the action. The whole cast put their all into the production and it was evident that they were truly passionate about experiments.
Audience members enter the theatre that has been transformed into a seemingly abandoned laboratory. Hazard tape, upturned warning cones and old radioactive barrels make you feel as if you have stumbled upon a secret location where exciting and dangerous events are to come. This is echoed in the use of lighting (Glyn Edwards), which uses flashes of light that scan through the audience as if on a helicopter search. There is a sense of peril as often writer and director Andy Joyce, suggests that this is the first time the actors are trying the experiments. This made the already exciting series of spectacles even more gripping.
This is a fantastic show for young audiences and their families. At no point did I feel alienated for being an older audience member – we were welcomed with open arms. Whilst most of the jokes were aimed at children, there were comedic moments for the whole family. An example of this was when ‘Raz’ (Maggie Frazer) tested the audience’s hearing by playing differently pitched noises. This marked the difference between young and ‘more experienced’ ears, who could hear less.
The experiments flowed seamlessly between each other, leaving no moments for audience distraction. The aftermath required stage clean up and this time was cleverly filled by interactive videos on a large projector (Odinn Orn Hilmarsson). These included showing optical illusions, doing number quizzes and explaining why we mishear song lyrics. The content used was modern making the show feel relevant and up to date. However, there was only one female character and one small section making reference to female inventors, which felt a bit clunky and underdeveloped.
Ultimately, the loud bangs, colourful flares and smoke clouds steal the show. Although, this is not its only strength – this show has beauty, and brains. The content is informative too as it teaches about the science behind the experiments. At every point where there are loud noises, a warning is given to cover your ears, making it accessible to more nervous audience members. You simply can’t go wrong with this fun, exciting show that is carried by the sheer energy of the performers.
Reviewed by Emily Morris
Photography by Anna Kucera
Brainiac Live!
Garrick Theatre until 1st September
Previously reviewed at this venue:
Rip It Up – The 60s | ★★★ | February 2019
Bitter Wheat | ★★★★ | June 2019
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