GALOIS DE GAULLE. To 25 August.

Edinburgh 2007 Fringe.

GALOIS DE GAULLE
by Sandy Easton.

Bedlam Theatre, 11b Bristo Place To 25 August 2007.
Mon - Sat. 3.30pm no performance 19 August.
Runs 55min. No interval.

TICKETS. 0131 225 9893 or Fringe BO 0131 226 0000.
www.galiosplay.co.uk
Review Thelma Good 14 August 2007.

Sock puppets and dramatic maths.
Republican Evariste Galois died aged 20 in France in 1832, his discoveries and immense mathematical talent yet to be publicly recognised. Outside the field of mathematics even today he is not known as the top-rank thinker he was. Sandy Easton’s first play dramatises his short life and gives us a taste of the fascination of mathematics and the extraordinary understanding Galois had.

Far from a dry play or production (by Edinburgh University Theatre Company) the political events that came to affect his life are filled in by short comic sock-puppet scenes and good use of music. Easton directs his play, fielding a young cast led by Robin Stewart’s awkward and urgent Galois, particularly well supported by Sam Cable and David K Barnes as a fifteen year old who encountered mathematics and became a creator of theorems within a year.

There are some well-written scenes as Galois finds his ability is thwarted by various authorities and Easton writes so his actors can intrigue and interest. The production may be a little rough round the edges - actually beheading the puppets would have produced more laughs, but the cast clearly believe in the show.

It all adds up to an interesting first play taking with some success the tricky challenges of dramatising the very short life of a real genius. It’s also a salutary reminder that brilliant ideas and people need encouraging but many, duller people will often put obstacles in their way.

Galois: Robin Stewart.
Richard/Raspail: Sam Cable.
Laborie/Cauchy: David K Barnes.
Chevalier/Alfred Galois: Natalie Eskinazi.
Narrator/Possion: Elizabeth Campbell.
Dogsbody/President: Henry Peters.

Director: Sandy Easton.

2007-08-17 02:56:44