Present-day concerns about science and ecology have been the basis for a number of shows in the Auckland Fringe (When Animals Dream of Sheep, The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik Deep Sea Explorer, for example.) Big Story, Small Space takes us back in time to when science was still very new and the people who played with it were labeled either genius or crazy.  Promising “th

Present-day concerns about science and ecology have been the basis for a number of shows in the Auckland Fringe (When Animals Dream of Sheep, The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik Deep Sea Explorer, for example.) Big Story, Small Space takes us back in time to when science was still very new and the people who played with it were labeled either genius or crazy.  Promising “the smallest stage possible,” it’s a challenge that’s going to be hard to resist. 

Renee Liang caught up with some of the minds behind the experiment - writers Pip Smith, Jen Mead and one of the actors Roberto Nascimento.

Have you always been a fan of science in general, and Nikola Tesla in particular?

Pip: Yes, I find him quite inspiring.  My father is a science fiction writer so I grew up with Science as opposed to teen romance.

Jen: The only thing I knew about Tesla was that David Bowie played him in The Prestige.  So when Pip asked me to co-write a play about him, I thought, sure this is going to be easy!  Alas, I was sorely mistaken because Nikola Tesla was an amazing creative genius, and engineering entrepreneur.  His life was so full of invention, drama and eccentricity that it made it difficult to pick just one story to tell.  Science on the other hand has always been a passion of mine as long as it’s accompanied by pictures and put in extreme laymen terms.

Roberto: Sort of. I always enjoyed science, but was always more interested in the individuals (i.e. the so called 'crazy scientists'). Tesla was such an interesting man and yet he is fairly unknown, which I find very strange considering his contribution to science and to the world we now live in. This play allowed me to go deep in research and find amazing facts about Tesla, his life and fascinating body of work. Definitely a brilliant mind that deserves to be talked about for generations to come.  This play focuses on a small portion of his life and makes the most of it.

What prompted the writing of this play (who is directing and writing, by the way)?

Pip: This play is the beginning of a larger body of work.
Jen: I had been thinking about writing something for the longest time but always found excuses as to why I couldn’t do it.  It wasn’t till Pip approached me and gave me the much needed kick up the butt, that I was compelled to do something.  It also helped that she had an inspiring concept and subject matter, both of which I’ve never seen on stage or screen.

Writer/Director: Pip Smith
Writer/Producer: Jen Mead
Production Design: Pritika Lal
Actors: Roberto Nascimento, Fabian Takiari, Chris Tan, Ben Cragg and Maddy de Young

Why have you chosen to stage it in a tiny space?

Pip and Jen:  Without giving too much away the space reflects themes found in the text, as well as presenting theatrical challenges that excite me

Are we going to see more sparking between the sciences and the arts in future?

Pip and Jen: We have thoroughly enjoyed working on this project together along with the cast and crew.  There are more science based works in the pipeline but were staying tight-lipped about that for now.

Big Story, Small Space

Electrocution! Sabotage! Elephants? Big Story, Small Space presents the fictional retelling of the rise of electricity on the smallest stage possible. Logistical nightmare, this show will leave you looking at history and electricity in a whole new light.

Basement Theatre, Greys Ave, Auckland City
Wednesday 9th, Thursday 10th and Friday 11th March @ 5.30pm
Tickets: $10 - $15
Purchase tickets at www.iticket.co.nz
Show Duration: 1hour
Auckland Fringe Festival