You can always tell a show is going to be good when its name takes up most of the free space on a ticket.
Origin of Species isn’t just concerned with biology: Hinton’s physical energy and audience chemistry are nearly scientific marvels on their own.
Hinton’s skill at lightning-change physical comedy is sublime: watching him change between two characters is as snappy and crisp as watching a cartoon dance around the stage. But it’s not all just for kids - in fact, far from it. In a packed audience of ages between seven and eighty-two, there were plenty of laughs to go around - from absurd dances and weird faces to brilliantly unflinching innuendos and visual gags.Whilst it is sometimes clear that Hinton’s vocal range cannot keep up with the wild energy of his songs, he covers it well - although some of the pieces feel weaker than the rest of the show, others are real highlights. This is especially potent when combined with his talent at playing an audience as well as the guitar; interaction is the order of the day in the Darwin household, and it never feels forced or unneeded.
This show promises a humorous afternoon for all ages and all levels of familiarity with science: everyone’s sure to find at least a few big laughs in the exhaustive catalogue of jokes. Origin of Species isn’t just concerned with biology: Hinton’s physical energy and audience chemistry are nearly scientific marvels on their own.
