Tangram Theatre has hit on a winning combination with Einstein: Relativitively Speaking – fantastic writing, performance and concept. John Hinton as Einstein narrated a pseudo-scientific lecture; a combination of anecdotes, jokes and physics theory.

John Hinton embodied Einstein’s quirks and eccentricities in a warm performance. Hinton’s deft characterisation appeared effortless as he fluently interspersed German phrases within his monologue.

As Einstein grew greyer and we reached 1945, Tangram Theatre produced a profoundly gentle and moving theatrical moment. The comedic character became tragic and lost and we felt the gravity of humanity and history bearing down on the story.

The inclusion of a puppet of Einstein’s brain, though very funny, was maybe a bit of a bizarre ending whilst we were so invested in Einstein himself. Perhaps there could have been a less linear progression through Einstein’s life and the brain could have appeared in the middle.

Hinton’s rapport with the audience was excellent, engaging us from the moment we entered. Interaction created a dynamic feel to the lecture format and participants were nicely handled with clear roles in the action.

A beautifully understated and well-executed show exploring the life and discoveries of the great man from his arrival in America to his death.