Fringe Benefits of Sexy Science

Roger Highfield, Science Editor
14 August, 2002
Daily Telegraph

Sandwiched between obscure performance artists and alternative comics, two boffins are about conduct an experiment to prove that mind-expanding science can be funny and entertaining.

The debut of the Theatre of Science at the Edinburgh Fringe follows the first trial of the show a few weeks ago in London by best selling author Simon Singh and Richard Wiseman of the University of Hertfordshire. What's On magazine called their first show at the Soho Theatre ''an uplifting, thought-provoking and frequently hilarious alternative to the usual theatre fair.'' The Evening Standard dubbed it ''a unique masterclass on the mind.'' And the Scottish Astronomer Royal, Prof John Brown, said: ''Bloody brilliant.''

The rave reviews came as ''a bit of a shock,'' says Singh. ''I didn't think that comedy and theatre critics would bother reviewing the show, and I was even more surprised when a comedy promoter asked us to take the show the Fringe.''

Singh is quick to emphasise that the show is not stand-up comedy. ''If the audience is expecting a series of mother-in-law jokes, then they'll be disappointed. If they are ready for some staggering demonstrations and baffling stories, then they'll leave the theatre happy.''

He admits that the double-act is ''not exactly Morcombe and Wise. Richard and I are essentially giving science lectures. He talks about the pyschology of deception, while I talk about the mathematics of risk and gambling, but we try to the pepper the show with humour, ancedote and demonstrations. For example, I will be betting with the audience, and if I lose then I will be buying a few drinks.''

Singh wants to prove that mathematics and science can be as stimulating as any drama. ''The show is aimed at the general public, but hopefully some scientists will come along, like what we do, and be inspired to think about alternative ways to communicate science,'' he says.

Theatre of Science is expanding its repertoire and will be presenting a new show in London in September, starring two Australian boffins (Dr Karl Kruszelnicki & Adam Spencer) known as the Sleek Geeks.

''I saw them in Sydney last year and I thought they were brilliant, so when the opportunity arose to put them on the London stage we leapt at the chance,''  says Singh. ''Australian scientists have a great way of making science sexy and relevant, while dropping in serious points along the way, and the Sleek Geeks are masters of this.''

Also at the Fringe, playing between August 15 and 20 at The George Square Theatre is Into the Antiworld, by Compagnie Mimescope, which was first performed 100 metres underground at the world's largest particle physics laboratory, at CERN, Geneva.

In the month of the centenary of the great British physicist Paul Dirac, whose theory predicted the existence of antimatter, the performance will dramatise his discovery with a blend of mime, live music, light and shadows and acrobatics.