Discourse: How mathematics shapes creativity (Theatre), 17 October | Event in London | AllEvents

Discourse: How mathematics shapes creativity (Theatre)

The Royal Institution

Highlights

Fri, 17 Oct, 2025 at 07:20 pm

1.4 hours

The Royal Institution of Great Britain

Starting at GBP 0

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Date & Location

Fri, 17 Oct, 2025 at 07:20 pm to 08:45 pm (GMT+01:00)

The Royal Institution of Great Britain

21 Albemarle Street, London, United Kingdom

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About the event

Discourse: How mathematics shapes creativity (Theatre)
Mathematician Marcus Du Sautoy uncovers the deep connection between mathematics and the arts, featuring a live musical performance.

About this Event

This page is for in person tickets only. For online tickets, . Both in person and online ticket holders will have access to the event recording.

We often see art and mathematics as opposites—emotion versus logic—but in this Discourse, mathematician Marcus Du Sautoy reveals a deep and surprising connection between them. He explores how mathematical ideas like symmetry, prime numbers, and the golden ratio shape human creativity, from the earliest stone circles to the modernist architecture of Le Corbusier, from Bach’s circular compositions to Radiohead’s disruptive soundscapes, and from Shakespeare’s hidden numerical clues to the Dada artists who embraced randomness.

Instead of being polar opposites, Marcus will explore how we find a complementary relationship between mathematics and the arts that spans a vast historical and geographic landscapes, using live music as a perfect case study.

Marcus's book "Blueprints: How mathematics shapes creativity" will be available to purchase after the talk.


By booking to attend events at the Royal Institution, you confirm that you have read and agree to the Ri's

Discourses are one of the Ri’s oldest and most prestigious series of talks. Since 1825, audiences in the theatre have witnessed countless mind-expanding moments, including the first public liquefaction of air by James Dewar, the announcement of the electron by JJ Thomson and over 100 lectures by Michael Faraday. In more recent times, we have had Nobel laureates, Fields medal winners, scientists, authors and artists – all from the cutting-edge of their field. Discourses are an opportunity for the best and brightest to share their work with the world.

Steeped in nearly two centuries of tradition, a Discourse is more than just a lecture. To keep the focus on the topic, presenters begin sharply at 7:30pm without introduction and we lock the speaker into a room ten minutes ahead of the start (legend has it that a speaker once tried to escape!). Some of our guests dress smartly for our Discourse events to add to this sense of occasion.

Discourses are free for Ri Members and Patrons - consider joining today.

Find out more about the history of Discourses on our blog.

The doors will open at approximately 6.45pm, and all ticket holders must take their seats by 7.20pm for a prompt start at 7.30pm. There will be a brief question/answer period after the talk.

Latecomers will be admitted to the gallery.

Event image by Max Petrunin via Unsplash


Also check out other Arts events in London, Music events in London, Theatre events in London.

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Ticket Info

Tickets for Discourse: How mathematics shapes creativity (Theatre) can be booked here.

Ticket type Ticket price
Theatre - Standard 21 GBP
Theatre - Concession 16 GBP
Theatre - Ri Member or Ri Patron Free
Theatre - Ri Young Member 8 GBP
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Event Tags

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The Royal Institution of Great Britain, 21 Albemarle Street, London, United Kingdom
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Host Details

The Royal Institution

The Royal Institution

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Discourse: How mathematics shapes creativity (Theatre), 17 October | Event in London | AllEvents
Discourse: How mathematics shapes creativity (Theatre)
Fri, 17 Oct, 2025 at 07:20 pm
GBP 0