Paul, in particular, has a constant level of high-energy enthusiasm for dinosaurs, moderated by the slightly more grounded Kaz.
In a show incorporating aspects of physical circus, jokes and many fun facts about dinosaurs, the audience is transported back 65 million years to the time of the T-Rex. The duo use bones as props, demonstrating the difficulties the T-Rex would have had with everyday tasks given its tiny arms, and use child participation to invent a new dino roar.
There is a quiz for those in the know about dino facts (did you know that the kangaroo appeared on the evolutionary chain before the mammoth?), and a 3D timeline demonstrating how long dinosaurs ruled the Earth compared to the length of time that humans have been around.
In the final part of the show, the duo build a time machine from audience props and go back to North America 67 million years ago. This is where the audience meets a baby dino that quickly becomes an adult. One word of warning: the huge T-Rex puppet/costume is so excellently done that some younger children will actually be scared.
This is a great show for those aged around five to 10. It’s also quite fact-based, so good for school-aged children who like shows such as Andy’s Prehistoric Adventures.
One criticism is the volume of the soundtrack. It was so loud that it was difficult to hear the performers at times, and I was sitting in the front row. Hopefully, the presenters will address this and turn it down so eager kids can learn all about how birds are not only related to dinosaurs but are in fact survivors of the asteroid that killed three-quarters of the Earth’s animals 65 million years ago.
As a tough critic, I’d give Dinosaur Time Machine a “pretty good” rating, but my five-year-old date was far more generous with her “really, really good”.
Dinosaur Time Machine is at The Speakeasy in Gluttony until March 18. Read more InDaily Fringe reviews and stories here.