The Great Science Time Tour, a play produced for the 2026 Norwich Science Festival, completed a tour of 38 primary and SEND schools across the county earlier this month.

The tour brought the play directly to schools in rural communities and served as a precursor to the main festival, which ran from February 14-21.

Performed by Tom Butterworth, the play took young audiences on a "time-twisting adventure". Students had the chance to help Charles Darwin study his finches, say bonjour to double Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie and blast into orbit with astronaut Mae Jemison.

It was made possible by the Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm Community Fund, operated by Equinor, which provides £125,000 annually to support STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) initiatives across Norfolk.

The tour received positive reviews for its ability to blend humour with the National Curriculum.

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One Norfolk teacher said: "The delivery was spot on, exactly the right balance between scientific knowledge and making them laugh. The children loved seeing their friends on stage helping with the science experiments."

Another teacher added: “The play was pitched well and the scientists linked to our curriculum. The play was well written and carefully thought out, so each scene linked. It was great that Tom asked volunteers from the audience to help him."

Sophie Skipp, Equinor’s stakeholder manager in Norfolk, attended a performance at Sheringham Primary School.

"Today’s children are tomorrow’s scientists and engineers," she said. "This play is a fantastic way to bring scientific achievement to life in a way that sticks with them. Reaching 38 Norfolk schools in just five weeks is a remarkable achievement, and we are proud to support it."

There were 14 public performances of The Great Science Time Tour in the Lower Gallery at The Forum, Norwich, throughout the festival week.

© Eastern Daily Press