Review: Brainiac, Grand Opera House, York

10:18am Friday 21st March 2008

DOUBLE chemistry and physics were never this much fun.

Brainiac's brand of science abuse thrilled a screaming young audience at the Grand Opera House on Monday night without a Bunsen burner or amp meter in sight.

The popular Sky One programme is obviously limited in terms of safe experiments which can be performed within the confines of a theatre, but the ear-splitting explosions and bright flashes were still impressive enough to shock you off the edge of your seat and turn your head in evasive action.

Star presenters Vic Reeves, Richard Hammond and Big Brother boffin John Tickle were, regrettably, not part of the current tour, but an enthusiastic five-strong cast of "Brainiacs" play their nerdy, mad scientist roles very convincingly.

Signature experiments from the show such as blowing up a caravan and a microwave also kick off and conclude a fast-moving one-and-a-half hour production, while a giant screen entertains the crowd as one messy stage scene makes way for the next Audience participation is constant throughout, most amusingly when young volunteers are asked to resolve one of life's burning issues - what is the quickest way to get tomato ketchup out of a bottle?

Shaking, rather than tapping, is the answer, as revealed by the varying amounts of sauce poured on each Brainiac's head.

Liquid soap is also revealed as the slippiest substance in a bathroom and the effects of electrocution are explored but of more gratuitous entertainment, is attaching first a fire extinguisher and then mini-jets to a spinning office chair.

Replacing a dummy's head with a hot water bottle and then inflating it to bursting point also provided one of the most tense bangs of the evening.

Not a night for nervous dispositions, but definitely brainstorming, family fun.

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