Nic Sampson returns to the Basement Theatre as The Lord Ernest Rutherford of Nelson following a successful debut run of
Ernest Rutherford: Everyone Can Science! in May 2013. Sampson (Billy T nominee 2015 and head writer for the Jono and Ben Show) writes and stars in this hilarious one-man comedy about the legendary New Zealand scientist most famous for splitting the atom, who also appears on our $100 note.
Ernest Rutherford has returned to the lecture circuit after a 70 year absence and his enthusiasm and energy is apparent from the moment he enters the room, hangs up his coat and hat and reminds us of his excellence and superiority (he is on the
best note, after all). He goes almost at once into physics, writing equations upon the chalk board like an old headmaster, although, perhaps his chalk hand is not quite what it used to be. After quizzing hapless members of the audience on 'simple' particle equations and then realising we may not be quite the physicists he was expecting, he, with our willing permission, begins to regale us with his life story. Well, a
version of his life story. And what a life! Certainly no one could accuse Sampson of letting the facts get in the way of a good story here. Over the course of the show he strays further and further from plausibility until he finally reaches and embraces the absurd and ridiculous in full measure.
The inspiration for this play originally came from a segment on the television show
U Late, where comedians played famous New Zealanders. Sampson appeared as
Sam Neill, AJ Hackett and Ernest Rutherford, later even hosting an entire show as Rutherford. Over the course of the series he wove a more and more elaborate backstory for the character which has slowly morphed into this play. The fantastical tale he spins is based very loosely on actual events but it becomes a great vehicle for improvisation with the extensive audience participation giving Sampson much material to riff off (he is an extremely talented improviser, a member of the popular improv team SNORT). In fact, the show soon becomes so off-the-wall it is hard to know which parts are scripted and which parts are being made up on the spot. Much of the humour derives from the fact Rutherford is from a different era to us, however, he flits in and out of historical and pop culture references easily being at once Rutherford and Sampson.
The play is directed ably by Chris Parker (Best Newcomer NZ International Comedy Festival 2015, No More Dancing In The Good Room, SNORT improv) and the collaboration between the two of them is so seamless I could not tell which elements and ideas could be attributed to whom. The arc of the story is really well conceived with great energy throughout, and the ending is extremely satisfying.
Sampson's Rutherford is not a wit alla
Mark Twain but a great character comedy of the classic eccentric Edwardian lord and scientist with a rather modern twist and a host of great laugh-out-loud one liners. Very entertaining and I expect many of the more curious audience members will be inspired to have a quick skim through the Wikipedia pages on this father of nuclear physics. The show is hugely enjoyable and it was clear throughout that the packed audience were having a blast.
Ernest Rutherford: Everyone Can Science! is extremely enjoyable, funny, crazy and a great night out.
Ernest Rutherford: Everyone Can Science! is on from the 8th-19th of September at the Basement Theatre, Auckland.
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