ED2015 4/5 Reviews ED2015 Theatre Reviews

Ada (Edinburgh University Theatre Company)

By Sarah Murphy | Published on Friday 28 August 2015

Ada Lovelace, innovator of the algorithm, may have foreseen the digital age altogether – but she was tragically halted before her work could come to full fruition. Very shrewdly, this play models itself on a frustrated machine: scenes whir then black out, haunted by single phrases that stutteringly repeat themselves at intervals, always interrupted before they can properly finish. How do you put maths on the stage? ‘Ada’ translates it into flowers, bedsheets and, most importantly, choreography. Dancing is a sort of maths equation, relying on symmetry, sequence and rigorous levels of perfection. Above all, ‘Ada’ is an achievement of metaphor. Maths enthusiasts, come and appreciate this. Everyone else, come and learn something.

Bedlam Theatre, until 30 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Sarah Murphy]