Ministry of Science Live at the Assembly Hall Theatre Review
Ministry of Science Live
Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells
8 October 2016
Reviewed by Louise Watts
“We are going to the Ministry of Science Live” I told my 8-year-old daughter. After a pause she replied “I hate Science!” Off we went to the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells where I had my fingers tightly crossed that she would enjoy it and realise that science can actually be fun.
We arrived in good time. Parking is easy as there is a car park almost next door and in my numerous visits to the theatre, I have never had any issue with parking. After dragging her inside, I bribed her with a drink and a snack from the lovely coffee bar in the theatre. We took our seats and prepared to be amazed!
The Ministry of Science Live aims to bring an entertaining fun approach to learning. It incorporates various experiments and demonstrations to try and engage children into the world of science and education, whilst working to the National Curriculum.
The 2 scientists from the Ministry today were Vicky (Explosive) and Mike (Mayhem). They were incredible. From the moment the show started, through a combination of teaching, humour and experiments they managed to engage all the children in the audience. The comedy side of their partnership showed true chemistry. Several experiments required children to participate and I don’t think there was a child in the packed auditorium who didn’t have their hand up wanting to be involved!
There were bangs, explosions, fire and gas … but all with a safe controlled atmosphere! They somehow managed to turn what in theory is simple science into an amazing learning environment of fun and laughter. Anyone that can engage a room full of young children for 2 whole hours whilst teaching science must have something special in my book! I do not believe there was anyone in the theatre who didn’t leave the show with more knowledge than they entered with!
My daughters favourite experiment was the final one which demonstrated the practical aspect of the fire triangle in rather noisy fashion … an absolutely explosive finish! My personal favourite was the demonstration of “Mondegreen” (Google it if you are unsure what it is). This demonstration had all the adults and children in fits of laughter!! Very clever and very funny.
The show is marketed as being “100% Education, 200% Entertainment, 300% Explosive and 400% Fun”, did it deliver on this rather impressive statement? Absolutely, no shadow of a doubt, nothing short of sheer scientific genius. A thoroughly enjoyable family educational show which should be made compulsory for all children in infant and junior schools. Well, that’s my opinion anyway.
The audience were also actively encouraged to take photos and videos, so having just shown them to my 11 and 13 year old daughter’s, their reaction was “Wow, it looks like it was really good”. My thoughts exactly.
Rating: 5/5 
For more information and tour dates visit www.ministryofscience.org.
For other shows at the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells visit www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk.
Assembly Hall Theatre, Crescent Rd, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2LU | 01892 530613
