What Goes Up...

Newton’s Law of Gravity states that every object (point mass) in the universe attracts every other body (point mass)…Although the famous story that Newton came up with the idea for the law of gravity by having an apple fall on his head is not true, the idea was ignited when he saw an apple fall from a tree. He wondered if the same force at work on the apple was also at work on the moon. If so, why did the apple fall to the Earth and not the moon? The answer is: Gravitational Forces.

Using Pote’s music as a backdrop, a stunning show could be presented, filled with science, history and a bit of humor.

For example, you might begin the show with a voice asking “What is gravity?” A performer dressed as Newton could be reclining under a tree (near the pit) and witnesses an apple falling (imaging a huge apple and extra sound effects from the pit!). Your show would then consist of the Newton character developing his theory of gravity. Using a large tablet and quill pen, he could work on different formulas (great opportunities for voice-overs) and at certain times, the band would react to his findings. “Larger objects have more gravitation pull than smaller objects” – and everyone gets sucked towards the tubas. “The faster an object moves, the more gravity they expel” – the guard starts drop spinning faster and faster. These are made up examples, you are encouraged to create more. Towards the end of the show, Newton would finally have his answer and the narrator would then read the entire theory of gravity: “Every particle of matter in the universe attracts every other particle with a force that is directly proportional to the product of the masses of the particles, and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.”

This show can be performed with minimal props (even just an apple being dropped from the drum major podium, or with a complete theater-type experience with trees, work areas (desk, window to look out) and other staging.

The Newton costume should be as authentic as possible to the time period of 1687. The auxiliary costumes can be just about anything flattering (although you may want to avoid a glitzy costume). Your flags could incorporate the actual equation for gravity.

1) Pride Goes Before the Fall – what about a show based on two competing forces? Part 1 would be the initial battle, part 2 would be a time-out to regroup and rest up and Part 3 would complete the battle with only one side emerging victorious.

2) Ruthless Gravity - Perhaps the use of ladders and ramps could help you show the audience a visual representation of “What goes up, must come down.”