The whys and wherefores of climate change are normally delivered by worthy dullards who issue dire warnings but never quite get to the bottom of what we can do about it and how it actually started. Some people don’t even believe global warming is real, thinking it’s a conspiracy. Well they should have seen the Polka Theatre’s The Planet and Stuff which, in game show style format, explained the tricky subject with clarity and fun.
Felix O Brien and Sarah-Jane Scott as Joe and Becci had the audience in the palms of their hands as they demystified this knotty subject by exploring the question How Do We Solve Climate Change?
Demonstrating massive concepts like how the earth’s atmosphere works using paper planes, riffs of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and video footage, we were left in no doubt that this is a real problem to which we all contribute.
In addition, this collaborative piece of theatre demonstrates that we all need to contribute to the solution, admitting it’s not easy when we all love to shop for ‘stuff’ – ‘I just want loads of stuff all the time’ Becci confides. The show worked well, energy levels never dropped and the most successful bits were through direct interaction with the audience.
The final descent into chaos was particularly effective.
My young companion thought this show should go on tour in schools not simply to liven up science lessons but also to spread this message and to start a conversation. ‘We have to do something,’ she said, switching off the light in her room for the first time ever. If you missed it, catch up with the blog at www.polkatheatre.com.
A magnificent tome thumped onto my desk last month. Immodestly called the Knowledge Encyclopaedia, DK (alternatively known as Dorling Kindersley) has created a big and beautiful book that is packed full of facts and figures about everything you could possibly want to know. The book sweeps from the timeline of early life through to the artificial intelligence of the amazing NAO robot, which is rightly given a spread of its own. This blockbuster is definitely one for your school library or for a family Christmas present.
And finally: Horrible Histories is back with a brand new show called errr… Barmy Britain – Part Two! The show runs at the Garrick Theatre. Book tickets at 0844 412 4662.