Galileo has been called the "father of observational astronomy", the "father of modern physics" and credited with many astronomical discoveries.
But he wasn’t always celebrated in this way.
Ridiculed and hauled before a Roman inquisition, his story is one of science denial some would say we see echoed today.
It’s a story The Auckland Theatre Company want told, and appearing as Galileo is renowned actor Michael Hurst.
Watch the video.
