Theatre

What a life-affirmingly brilliant piece of theatre this is. Presented by the Oxford Playhouse, seamlessly directed by Toby Hulse and tightly scripted by David Hastings, 'One Small Step' tells the story of the US/Soviet space race from the launch of the Sputnik in 1957 up until the moon landings in 1969.

Using a car boot-load of bric-a-brac (desk lamps, action figures and yes, cardboard boxes) an indefatigable duo of actors recreate this pivotal movement in the earth’s history, eliciting all of the excitement of the first time round. Robin Hemmings and Oliver Hollis shine brightly in a multitude of parts – German scientists, Russian and American astronauts, British astronomists and a couple of cameos from President Kennedy and Walter Cronkite for good measure.

'One Small Step's great appeal is that it explores both the human desire to push boundaries and excel, and our childlike desire to have a good lark. An action figure on a stick recreates man’s ascent to space; a descent down a rickety filing cabinet reimagines the steps down from the spaceship to the moon; and a rubber tube is used to explain the effects of g-force.

Man’s conquest of space is in essence the story of man’s conquest of self, and this simple rending of a complex story is a perfect demonstration of the power of theatre. It’s fast paced playfulness belies what is actually a well-researched historical drama that educates as much as it entertains. A must-see for children of all ages.

 'One Small Step' played at the Assembly Hall, George Street, Edinburgh.