Delving deep into space and time, Professor Brian Cox was in his element last night at Aberdeen’s P&J Live.
His latest arena tour, Horizons, covered many of the wonders of our universe, from supermassive black holes to the big bang and a mind-boggling equation or two.
It was all delivered using state-of-the-art technology on a panoramic LED screen, taking the P&J Live audience on both a visual and scientifically intellectual journey.
Cox’s natural, calming charm was almost hypnotic at times and though many in the audience will have struggled to keep up with some of the theories covered, Cox’s endless fascination for understanding the universe was awe-inspiring.
A journey into space and time
After a delay to the scheduled start time due to extensively large queues of people still waiting to get inside the venue, the show began, aptly, at the beginning of time with the big bang.
Vibrant graphics of galaxies followed alongside rather intensely dramatic music before professor Cox casually jaunted onto the stage and immediately got stuck into the performance.
Cox delivered much of the show like a lecture – “not a cheap lecture” he later joked – and if there was one thing missing from the performance it was the potential for more audience interaction.
As it was, the packed crowd sat back and relaxed, marvelling at the cinematic experience unfolding on screen and soaking in Cox’s fascinating stories.
Laughs were also in decent supply throughout the night.
“I know that bands usually play here,” Cox remarked shortly into the show, “but instead of a guitar solo, I’m going to give you an equation solo!”
The energy of BBC Radio 4 podcast co-host of The Infinite Monkey Cage, Robin Ince, who joined Cox on stage periodically, also brought refreshing contrasts from some of Cox’s more complex junctures.
And as a mark of respect for the late Queen, a minute’s silence was observed in the arena at 8pm allowing for a short pause for reflection.
Horizons
Split into two parts, Cox’s Horizons show covered a vast array of topics.
Cosmology, astrology, Einstein’s theories of relativity and Stephen Hawking’s theories of quantum mechanics were just a few of the show’s core features, which probed into our understanding of the universe as we know it.
Cox’s own passion for talking about black holes, which he affectionately described as his “most favourite things in the universe”, also shone through.
But it was the existential questions at the heart of the show – what is the nature of space and time? Why does the Universe exist? – which encouraged everyone in attendance to heighten their curiosity about existing in the here and now.
A Q&A opportunity allowed some younger audience members to show off their impressive physics knowledge through interesting questions.
Come to the conclusion, Cox rounded off the show in an optimistic tone, highlighting humans’ existence on earth and in the universe as a whole.
He saw “humility” as something that will be imperative to our existence going forward.
In a world fraught with issues, it’s easy to agree with the professor on that.
Engrossing experience
Horizons took the P&J live audience on the cinematic journey that it promised, with thrilling visuals of planets, galaxies and supermassive black holes lighting up the P&J Live arena.
It was a performance fit for science lovers to geek out at, as well as others to expand their minds.
Cox’s inimitable smoothness made some of the show’s complex topics easier to digest. Its deep-seated questions encouraged people to think beyond their mind’s horizons.
Come the end, walking out of the arena into the black chill of night, you couldn’t resist looking up to catch a glimpse of the stars.
Conversation