Interview with Mike Goble, Presenter of Ministry of Science Live.
Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, please keep your head firmly on your shoulders and your arms and legs inside the ride at all times – Ministry of Science Live explodes onto a stage near you soon!
This is not your ordinary science show – it comes jam packed with fun, laughter and plenty of amazing science and history which includes a fully operational hovercraft, massive cannons with lots of bangs, a push bike that makes the best smoothie ever and look out for Darth Vader playing with plasma! Investigating the inventors and engineers who have shaped the modern world we live in, the audience experience everything from liquid nitrogen flowers to hydrogen bottle rockets, Buzz Aldrin to Virgin Galactic, cat food tins to hovercraft and methane to the invention of the battery. Expect loud explosions and more!
Ministry of Science Live is a fully engaging interactive experience that explores energy and engineering using brilliantly designed demonstrations and historical references as a narrative. Combining stimulating live entertainment with the world of education the show’s primary aim is to inspire and educate young people through the medium of live theatre.
We spoke to the show’s presenter, Mike Goble, to find out more.
In your own words, tell us about the stage show.
Ministry of Science Live is a show that is very exciting to be a part of, having launched in Northern Ireland to a staggering 7,500 people across a week at the CultureTech festival, we’ve just returned from touring the UAE and now we’re embarking on our first UK Theatre tour. I love being part of live theatre – especially when it’s something the whole family can enjoy. One aim of the show is to prove that science is actually fun and to hopefully inspire, not only the kids, but the grown-ups as well to enjoy exploring and learning about the world around us. Maybe one day someone in our audience will be the next great inventor or make a huge scientific discovery….
What can people expect?
I guess people can expect to go away from the show hopefully both entertained and having learnt something new. It’s fun and entertaining with a few loud bangs thrown in for good measure!
Is it really educational as well as fun?
Yes. The starting point of everything in the show is always the science. Then we find a way of presenting it that’s clear, engaging and enjoyable. I present the show with a girl called Emma Blackwell and we have a lot of fun working together and hopefully that comes across to the audience as well.
Is it dangerous in any way for the presenters?
The show is live science and uses a number of gases such as our demonstration that explains the fire triangle which includes igniting hydrogen and oxygen balloons, which when ignited makes a rather large bang right in front of you on the stage. A lot of the elements of the show are dangerous if not handled correctly and by professionals. All the cast and crew are experienced in handling chemicals and gases and have been trained by both scientists and health & safety personnel in order to be able to deliver the show safely to audiences. However, none of the demonstrations on Ministry of Science Live should be recreated at home or school.
How did Ministry of Science come about?
Mark Thompson, the shows writer and director has been involved in family shows for over 13 years working with some of the biggest brands that perform in the UK and around the world. Mark is incredibly passionate about science communication having written the touring productions of Brainiac Live, which recently made it’s west end debut, Science Museum Live!, Guinness World Records Officially Amazing Science Live and BBC Hidden World Live previously. Ministry of Science is his own brand combining the best of education with entertainment. He’s incredibly passionate about science and seriously wants to inspire youngsters about science and engineering – in a fun way.
What age group would be most interested in the show?.
The show works around the curriculum of 6-12 year olds as we want inspire children at a young age to be enthused by Science. However, the style of the show is slick, fun, and full of action so it gets good feedback from the adults as it brings out the big kid in them.
Can the audience get involved?
Audience participation is used throughout the show and some people get to join us up on stage to get a bit closer to the action doing everything from piloting a hovercraft to making a smoothie using a pedal power bike that powers a blender.
What is your favourite part of the show?
Tough question. I have always performed in family friendly shows but this one allows me to play with some very cool gases – so it’s that part of Ministry of Science I enjoy!
If you were not involved with the show, why would you want to come see it?
Well, its jam backed with explosions, chemicals, science, history, engineering and all round a lot of fun. I like seeing live entertainment and this is a show that the younger members of my family would love but also Grandad could come along too and thoroughly enjoy it. I’d come and see it because it would be a fun family trip and just maybe you might discover something about the world we live in that you didn’t know before…
Ministry of Science Live! is at Darlington Civic Theatre on Saturday 6 June. Tickets* are £14.50 for adults and £12.50 for children
To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk
*Includes a £1 restoration levy