Last night, Birmingham Rep played host to a dazzling collision of comedy and calculation as Matt Parker took to the stage with his new solo show, Getting Triggy With It. For one night only, the bestselling author and sold-out Edinburgh Festival Fringer proved that maths isn’t just clever—it’s downright hilarious.
Parker didn’t just talk about maths. He did the maths. With the kind of gleeful chaos only a true enthusiast can conjure, he programmed his own Christmas tree lights—only for over 11 million viewers to witness the spectacular downfall. He shared his lovingly crafted code online, only for the internet to improve it by a staggering 40,832,277,770%. And through it all, he invited the audience to revel in the joy of getting things wrong, learning fast, and laughing harder.
The show was a masterclass in turning numbers into narrative. Parker’s timing was impeccable, his delivery warm and wickedly sharp. Whether poking fun at his own mathematical misadventures or guiding the crowd through mind-bending concepts with ease, he made every moment feel inclusive, intelligent, and irresistibly fun.
For anyone who’s ever doubted the power of maths to entertain, Getting Triggy With It was the ultimate rebuttal. Parker’s blend of wit, wonder, and wild experimentation left the audience buzzing—and reminded us all that curiosity, when paired with comedy, is a force to be reckoned with.
I have never seen a queue so long to obtain a poster from a show.
And you do not really need to understand maths to enjoy it.
