EINSTEIN
As Albert Einstein, Pip gives a delicately nuanced performance, gently asking us to realise that imagination (which is boundless) is more important than knowledge (which is limited). Every so often the audience is asked to close their eyes and participate in a thought experiment by visualising a scenario which proves his point.The play has many anecdotes from Einstein’s life and,although his demeanour is always genial, Pip Utton does not shy away from the less kindly aspects of Einstein’s behaviour. Albert admits to his womanising and regrets his treatment of his first wife (which is frankly shocking) and on occasion he displays a hint of pomposity towards his colleagues. There is also sadness that his findings led to the development of the atomic bomb – a development he would love to distance himself from.