Review by Emily Bradley
60 min | Storytelling, Comedy | PG
The Inventor of All things, written and performed by the brilliant Jem Rolls is the unbelievable true story of Hungarian-American physicist and inventor Leo Szilard. Rolls proves that truth is stranger than fiction in this incredibly entertaining and engaging story of the man who first came up with the idea for the atomic bomb.
Rolls is dynamic, funny, and passionate and after over five years of hard work and dedication he brings to our attention a forgotten piece of history that is amusing yet powerful. I only wish every history professor was as charismatic and informative.
Rolls has a wonderfully raw quality which is a refreshing change from the over-trained and unnatural quality that is sometimes seen in theatre. He is reminiscent of a party guest telling a story over dinner; his excitement and zeal are infectious and his genuine desire to make us care for Leo Szilard is tangible.
Rolls sheds some light on a dark period in 20th century history, packing a significant amount of information into this 60 minute play. I couldn’t help but think that he could rival some of the best documentarians in terms of both education and entertainment.
Rolls has created something truly tremendous and it is my belief that his story has enriched my life. Please do yourself a favor and don’t miss the opportunity to share in Jem Rolls’ passion.
The Inventor of All Things plays at Venue 2 – Arts Court Library on Tuesday, June 23rd at 8:00 pm, Thursday, June 25th at 11:00 pm, Saturday, June 27th at 9:30 pm, and Sunday, June 28th at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $12.
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