Now, I’ve just noticed there is a V2 after the title of the show on my ticket. Is that because it’s version 2 or an homage to the destructive rocket from WW2? I was a minute or two late for this show and missed the introduction, but the host, Helen Keen, made it clear what the show was about and I had no problem keeping up.
The premise of the show is to discuss the history of rockets and spaceflight, as well as Helen’s own youthful love of these subjects and other passions she has. She tells of her childhood in a small town and looking at the stars and dreaming, of collecting stamps the easy way (her dad’s a postman) and of the many fascinating facts she learned while researching this show.
We are given a short biography of the three pioneers of rocket science (I’d only heard of the second one) and of the reasons for the Space Race, as well as some fascinating facts about some of the men working on the moon rocket (Satanist? Sexy Satanist? Blimey).
There are some props including face masks, a mini glockenspiel, a big rocket (reminiscent of Mr Squiggle for old Aussies), some big cards (including Venn diagrams!) and also two segments of the show with beautiful shadow puppets (well, cut-out silhouettes is more the correct term) to help Helen tell a part of the story, and it’s worth seeing the show just for this bit.
Helen is a chirpy and endearing storyteller who will infect you with her enthusiasm for space and quite likely leave you with more knowledge than when you arrived. There are a lot of laughs during the show as well as a couple of painfully funny puns, so it’s not just a lecture but a fun afternoon suitable for the whole family and one which is selling out fast.
Visit the Edinburgh Fringe website for booking details