Life in a northern town

Saturday 20 May
The first big test. A week before official opening, Life Interactive World opens its doors to 800 ‘friendly critics’ – families and friends of staff. Everybody has been up all night cleaning, adjusting exhibits and debugging software. Amazingly, everything is working when we start. It doesn’t last long. The door on the ‘Secret of Life Show’ jams; the ‘Brain Show’ crashes; the voice-over gets out of synch with the pictures in ‘Jack’s Story’, the 3D embryo show; the morphing machine that turns the visitor into his or her animal ancestor occasionally goes on the blink. But each problem is quickly solved and about 80 per cent of the exhibits work flawlessly. Better still, 98 per cent of visitors say they would recommend it to a friend.

Monday 22 May
We are nervous about rumours that anarchists are going to target our opening. Posters calling us the ‘Centre for Lies’ have appeared, accusing us of being propaganda for big business and for eugenics. It is being organized by a very small group of activists who we have repeatedly consulted and in person admit we are balanced and responsible. They now warn darkly of violence if anarchists are attracted to the event: tantamount to inciting it.

Tuesday 23 May
Press day. Pouring rain suits us fine – we’re an indoor attraction and too much sunlight competes with some of the video monitors (though it shows off Terry Farrell’s spectacular design to good effect). The news of the sacking of the chairman of the Dome, Bob Ayling, has broken overnight, so many journalists are comparing us with the Dome. We’re happy with that. On the plane to London that evening for the Samuel Johnson and Aventis Book Prize awards (my book is on both short-lists), I bump into Loyd Grossman, who’s looking forward to seeing the Centre. He’s on the Museums and Galleries Commission.

Wednesday 24 May
Back from London, prize-less, on the morning plane. Later, the Gala dinner to thank all our friends. Guests go through the exhibition in groups of 90 and return well pleased. From bishops to bus drivers, everybody seems to think Life Interactive World is good value for money. Linda Conlon, the Director, ends the evening with a brilliant speech.

Thursday 25 May
The calm before the storm. Special Branch has advised the local police to prepare for a full scale riot if the anarchists show up. We press them not to be heavy-handed. After all, we agree with the protesters that genetics is a cause for concern – that’s the whole point of our exhibition.

Friday 26 May
A very positive review in the Newcastle Journal, ending: ‘Dome, eat your heart out: our Millennium attraction is a winner.’ Carol Vorderman arrives at 2.00 p.m. I take her on a brief tour of the shows and she then does three media interviews, including one ‘as live’ in front of Cubie, our furry, purple cube which moves towards you if stroked gently. It’s an interactive in the brain part of the exhibition – designed to demonstrate sensation and response.

Saturday 27 May
D-Day. Pouring rain and a cold north wind. The jugglers, stilt walkers and Basil-Fawlty look-alikes who are here to draw in the first crowds are in high spirits despite the downpour. Despite extensive publicity on the local radio that morning, the actual protest is a damp squib: just a few people booing behind a banner that reads ‘Frankenstein’s Castle’. The Lord Mayor introduces Carol Vorderman, who cuts a ribbon and off go fireworks, balloons and banners, followed by a loud blast of a song about life. The public streams through the doors, paying £6.95 for an adult, £19.95 for a family of four.

Within a few hours it’s clear that people like us. They are staying longer than we expected: up to three hours. The café proves popular – a bit more so than the shop. Feedback is very positive, especially from the ‘Secret of Life Show’ (a live routine about DNA) and the ‘Crazy Motion Ride’ (a ten-minute film with moving seats). But other exhibits are also drawing people. ‘Choices’, our bioethics exhibit, is surprisingly full all day. It features four brief acts on video – one of which stars Ant and Dec, another Alan Shearer and Rory McGrath, each followed by a series of brief interviews with experts. They cover GM crops, nature/nurture, designer babies and genetic privacy. They present both sides of the argument, and, crucially, they invite the viewer to form his or her own opinion – and to vote afterwards.

Late in the day we review the figures: 1100 visitors on the first day – well above expectations.

Monday 29 May
More than 2300 people crowd into the exhibition – far more than predicted. No major breakdowns, and the queues remain manageable. But it’s all hands to the pump. Jo Hutton, the Finance Director, is clearing tables in the café. Everybody is tired but happy. We seem to have got off to a good start.

See also

• Regional science centres: locations throughout the UK

External links

• Life Interactive World part of the International Centre for Life in Newcastle