Birmingham Town Hall – until 29th December 2025
Reviewed by Emma Millward
4****
Based on the hit Sky TV show, Brainiac Live! arrived in Birmingham this weekend for a short festive run at Birmingham Town Hall, before embarking on a UK tour next year. The show was conceived by producer Dan Colman and has been touring for over 17 years, including shows in Australia and Dubai. This year it also received an Olivier Award for ‘Best Family Show’ following a successful run at London’s Marylebone Theatre.
From the moment Brainiac Ned (Andy Joyce) and his trusty gang of fellow Brainiacs Ed (Rik Warren), Raz (Katie Santhouse) and Dave (Ian Plimley) took to the stage, it was clear this was not a conventional educational show. Birmingham Town Hall’s formal, historic interior provided a striking contrast to the controlled chaos unfolding on stage. Fire, smoke and explosions were used with theatrical precision, capturing the attention of younger audience members, while keeping the adults entertained through sharp comedic timing and a few jokes that went over the children’s heads. Experiments included airzookas blowing smoke rings, launching socks with rockets into the audience, running at speed through plasterboard-covered doorways and plenty of explosions. The show features numerous noise warnings throughout, as it is very loud. The audience are reminded to cover their ears frequently, so this may be something to consider for noise-sensitive audience members.
My favourite experiment was the ‘Best Way to Spin a Chair Challenge’, in which Brainiac Ned was spun round in an office chair using both a fire extinguisher and jet-propelled rockets with flames bursting out. This was quite a sight to behold, and proved that the cast (especially Writer/Director Andy Joyce) really throw themselves into the spirit of the show. The cast worked well together and ensured they kept the crowd as hyped up about the experiments as they were. Special mention must be given to Rik Warren as Brainiac Ed, his deadpan delivery of certain phrases really added to the comedy. I never expected to laugh so much at the words ‘hot water bottle’.
The show was not without a few minor flaws. The pace became relentless at times, and some explanations felt a little rushed. Spectacle also occasionally overshadowed substance. That said, younger audience members were clearly delighted throughout and enjoyed the continual mayhem, which is exactly the point of this kind of show.
Technically, the production was slick and professional. The ‘Hazard Warning’ sign-filled set design by Damien Stanton definitely built up the audience’s expectations of what was to come. Lighting and sound cues were tightly coordinated with the experiments and added to the audience’s anticipation. The sound occasionally became a little echoey and muffled, though this may have been due to the size of the venue. The sound issues were mostly noticeable during the otherwise hilarious ‘Misheard Lyrics’ section. I may be nit-picking, but in a very loud show, if “O Fortuna” is being played, I want it played loud!
Brainiac Live! at Birmingham Town Hall delivered an energetic, hilarious and frequently loud afternoon of science-based entertainment that largely lived up to its reputation. It was a noisy, chaotic, and highly enjoyable reminder that science, when presented with imagination, can be both accessible and exhilarating.