Following its 2025 Olivier Award win for Best Family Show, Brainiac Live has arrived at the Garrick Theatre for the summer, bringing an hour of explosive science experiments, audience participation and plenty of laughs. Based on the popular TV series, the show blends education with entertainment in a way that's just as enjoyable for adults as it is for children.
Running for 60 minutes without an interval, the show gets going almost immediately and keeps the pace up throughout. Even before it begins, the stage is filled with intriguing scientific equipment, hinting that something spectacular is about to happen. As the performance unfolds, each experiment seems to outdo the last, with bigger bangs, louder reactions and plenty of surprises along the way.
Leading the mayhem is Brainiac Ned (Andy Joyce), alongside the cheeky Brainiac Ed (Rik Warren) and the calm, reassuring Brainiac Raz (Tracy Rahi). The three presenters have an easy chemistry that makes the show feel relaxed and spontaneous, and Joyce's enthusiasm is impossible not to warm to. Having been part of Brainiac Live for over 15 years, his passion for sharing science with young audiences really comes across.
What really makes the show work is how involved the audience becomes. Rather than simply watching from their seats, children are encouraged to shout, cheer and join in throughout. Giant smoke rings drift across the auditorium, socks are launched into the crowd and the theatre regularly erupts with laughter as each new experiment pushes things a little further.
A large screen above the stage also keeps everyone entertained between demonstrations with quick science challenges and interactive moments. It's a smart way of maintaining the energy while the next experiment is prepared, and means there is never any sense of waiting around.
There's plenty of variety too. Balloon explosions, liquid nitrogen, sound experiments, fire extinguisher-powered antics and a series of increasingly ambitious demonstrations ensure there's always something new to capture the audience's attention. Just when you think you've seen the biggest experiment of the afternoon, another one arrives.
Parents of younger children should be aware that some sections are very loud. Thankfully, the presenters always give plenty of warning before the noisier moments, allowing anyone who needs to cover their ears to do so. The Garrick Theatre has also clearly considered its younger audience by providing booster seats and headphones for anyone who may be sensitive to loud sounds.
One of the show's biggest achievements is that it never feels like a lesson. Instead of explaining science in a classroom-style format, it sparks curiosity through fun and spectacle. Judging by the excited conversations as families left the theatre, many children were already asking how some of the experiments worked.
Brainiac Live is energetic, funny and genuinely impressive. It strikes an excellent balance between entertainment and education without ever becoming overly worthy, making science feel exciting and accessible for all ages. It's easy to see why it picked up the Olivier Award, and for families looking for something a little different during the summer holidays, this is an excellent choice. Playing at the Garrick Theatre until 30 August, it's a show that's likely to leave children wide-eyed and adults pleasantly surprised.
It runs until 30 August. Tickets: here.
Review: Sunita Jaswal Photo: Mark Douet