REVIEW - SO UNFAIR | Z-ARTS MANCHESTER

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So Unfair – A Fun, Fast-Paced Engineering Adventure

How do you make things fair? And what could go hilariously wrong if you don’t? So Unfair by One Tenth Human sets out to answer these big questions with an interactive, laughter-filled science adventure packed with engineering challenges, audience participation, and a surprising amount of melted chocolate.

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An Unfair Start?

From the moment we took our seats, it was clear that this wouldn’t be an ordinary show. My children, Alice (7) and Leo (6), were handed a sheet with engineering tasks to try at home—setting the stage for a performance that wasn’t just about watching but actively thinking and doing.

Daniel Bye, our energetic host, arrived on stage in a fluster. His co-star, Toni was supposed to be there, but she was stuck in a lift in London—with a pregnant woman, no less! Cue a frantic Video call where she informed Dan that not only was she trapped, but she also had some essential supplies for the show (including large cardboard tubes). What to do? Call in reinforcements, of course!

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Engineering and Entertainment Collide

Dan reached out to real-life engineers Jenny and Zainab over Zoom to help save the day. Jenny’s daughter had been playing with the computer settings, resulting in Jenny appearing on screen with a series of ridiculous filters—a cat, sunglasses, a pirate hat—which had the young audience giggling uncontrollably. But this wasn’t just a comedy sketch; Dan used every moment to engage the audience with engineering-themed questions, encouraging children to put up their hands and share their ideas. Leo was thrilled to take part, enthusiastically answering whenever he could.

The first challenge saw Dan tasking six children with building a structure that could hold a tennis ball, using only paper and tape. Watching them work together in teams, experimenting with shapes and stability, was both entertaining and educational. There was a genuine sense of excitement in the room as the children tested their creations, with cheers (and a few dramatic collapses) along the way.

Three children excitedly react to a science experiment with a man cheering beside them. They're in a room with colorful patterns and tables.

Chocolate, Bees, and Big Ideas

The storytelling element of the show was equally compelling. Dan told a story about a boy from Africa named Kwame, who used his ingenuity and knowledge of bees to solve an electricity crisis in his village. This story was inspired by the real-life experiences of William Kamkwamba. It was a fantastic way to show how engineering can solve real-world problems, making it accessible and inspiring for young audiences.

Then came the most deliciously messy experiment—melted chocolate! Since melted chocolate isn’t exactly child-friendly, Dan enlisted two grown-ups from the audience to help. The sight (and smell!) of molten chocolate had the audience buzzing, proving that science can be both fun and delicious.

https://onetenthhuman.com/project/so-unfair2025/

A Race to Save the Day

Just when things seemed under control, Toni called back—now dealing with an even bigger problem. The pregnant woman in the lift had gone into labour, and Toni needed to reach the emergency hatch to get help! But how could she reach it? The only things she had with her were the tubes. Enter the final challenge: could the children in the audience come up with a way to build a platform strong enough to support a person’s weight?

Leo jumped at the chance to help, eagerly joining the engineering team on stage, while Alice, a little more reserved, chose to observe from her seat. The sheer enthusiasm of the children working together was a joy to watch, proving that even in a theatre, hands-on learning can be just as exciting as any action-packed adventure.

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Conclusion

So Unfair is a show that sparks curiosity, creativity, and a love for problem-solving. With its fast-paced energy, clever use of technology, and Daniel Bye’s boundless enthusiasm (plus some truly terrible dad jokes), it kept both kids and grown-ups thoroughly entertained. The mix of comedy, science, and storytelling made for a brilliant interactive experience that had my children excited to try out their own engineering projects at home.

One Tenth Human strikes a fantastic balance between education and entertainment, and I’ll definitely be on the lookout for their future productions. If you’re looking for a show that will make your kids think, laugh, and maybe even build something amazing, So Unfair is a winner!

If you would like more information about the show, please click the button below to visit the show's official website.

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Photo Credit - Gabi Dawkins

*Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.