Lateral Events
Prof Alice Roberts
From Cell to Civilisation
Humankind | Genetics | Archaeology
All New Show – Live on Stage
Who are we? Where do we come from? What does it mean to be human?
For thousands of years, such questions have been explored through philosophy and religion, but the answers now seem to lie firmly within the grasp of an empirical approach to the world and our place within it.
By peering deep into our past and dragging clues out into the light, science can now provide us with some of the answers to the questions that people have always asked.
From the first spark of life on earth 3.8 billion years ago, we track the evolution and connectivity of all living things.
Join us as we follow in the footsteps of our ancestors from Africa into Asia and around the Indian coastline, to Australia, north into Europe and Siberia, and, eventually, to the last continents to be peopled: the Americas. We’ll meet some other human species along the way.
We’ll examine the sophistication of some of the earliest civilisations, and we’ll discuss how we know what we know and why we think what we think, what the science can tell us.
This is the story of us, from single cell to civilisation.
Tour Schedule
When purchasing Tickets, you agree that you will abide by any government, venue or event requirements in effect at the time of the event.
Only buy tickets from Ticketek, Ticketmaster or the Civic Theatre Newcastle – these are the official ticket agencies that have been authorised by Lateral Events to sell tickets. Unauthorised ticket on-sellers will add significant premiums onto ticket prices, and often sell non-existent tickets. Please don’t be caught out. For the avoidance of doubt, Viagogo is not an authorised ticket seller.
A statement concerning ticket prices
The team at Lateral Events is working tirelessly to keep the ticket prices for our theatre and arena shows affordable, especially given the current cost of living pressures. In the meantime, in 2024, supplier costs have increased between 30% and 40% compared to last year, across the board. These costs include venues, ticket fees, production, travel, security, hotels, trucking, insurance and, well, absolutely everything.
As a result, you will see some ticket price increases this year to help bridge the gap. However, Lateral will continue to provide the highest quality intellectual entertainment experiences with globally renowned experts – we will not cut corners in delivering beautiful and informative shows.
- How long is the show?
The shows will start at 7:30pm and will run for approximately 2 hours, plus there will be a 20min interval.
- How much are tickets?
We are required to quote ticket prices that include the multiple fees and charges added by venues and ticketing agencies; these vary city to city. To find the exact ticket prices, please go to the ticket agency website (linked above). The ticket prices, with some exceptions, range from $85 to $165 (inc fees).
About Prof Alice Roberts
I’m an academic, writer and broadcaster. I’m interested in the structure of humans, how we function, and our place in the wider environment.
I’m fascinated by human biology and history – and although these are often considered to be separate subjects, they are intertwined and inseparable.
I originally trained as a doctor, but left surgery behind to become a university academic – teaching clinical anatomy to students and doctors, and researching human origins and disease in ancient bones.
From very early in my academic career, I became involved in university outreach. Universities are knowledge generators, and we should share that knowledge widely – but listening and learning from others’ experience and expertise is also vitally important. In this way, we can make sure that knowledge benefits everyone – whether that’s sharing the latest medical advances or enriching our culture in other ways. I’ve been Professor of Public Engagement with Science at the University of Birmingham since 2012.
I’ve presented more than a hundred television documentaries, ranging across human biology, history and archaeology. I first appeared on television in 2001, as a human bone specialist on Channel 4’s Time Team. I went on to present Coast on BBC Two, and then to write and present a range of television series for the BBC, including The Incredible Human Journey, Origins of Us and Ice Age Giants, as well as several Horizon programmes. I’ve also fronted several history series on Channel 4 including Britain’s Most Historic Towns, Fortress Britain and Ancient Egypt by Train, as well as Curse of the Ancients and Royal Autopsy on Sky History. My longest running series, BBC Two’s Digging for Britain has been going strong for more than ten years.
I’ve written numerous popular science books. My book The Incredible Unlikeliness of Being, was shortlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize 2015. I’m also a keen artist and like to explore ways of engaging people with science through art.