Review – Albert Einstein: Relativitively Speaking
Keen-eyed punters may recognize John Hinton from Fringes past – he performed the award-winning The Origin of Species at Holden Street Theatres in 2012, to considerable acclaim. Relativitively Speaking (sic) is his latest production, and it is every bit as delightful as its predecessor. Hinton takes his audience on a comedic, musical romp through the life of Albert Einstein, starting in 1933 with the great man’s move from Germany to the USA and concluding with his death in 1955. With catchy tunes, cracking puns and a few surprisingly fascinating physics lessons (aided by audience member ‘volunteers’ – best sit towards the back if you’d rather not be involved), the show is thoroughly engaging from start to finish.
Einstein is accompanied onstage (and on piano) by his first and second wives (Mileva and Elsa) and his mother Pauline. All three are played by Jo Eagle, whose almost wordless, cleverly understated performances are a highlight. The depth of the research, biographical, scientific and linguistic, is impressive, but never risks overwhelming with excessive detail. Einstein’s theories had less-than- hilarious practical applications, of course, and Hinton doesn’t flinch away from these realities. The darker side of the great man’s life is well handled – those parts of the show will stay with you too.
You don’t need an interest in theoretical physics to enjoy Relativitively Speaking, but you might walk out with one. Thought-provoking, hilarious, highly recommended.
