Science comedy, interactive theatre and the annual FameLab competition are all innovative examples of how science can be communicated on stage. Drama and interactive theatre can be particularly powerful means of communicating science, offering a very personal experience that is well suited to the exploration of complex scientific issues and ethical questions. Here is a selection of what is on offer in the UK:
Arc Theatre has run a series of events on the subject of climate change. These events use drama to explore the choices individuals make and their consequences on a personal and a global scale.
Birch Tree’s production of 'Mr Beetles Watery Adventure' covers physics (the unique properties of water), chemistry (its importance as a solvent and medium for chemical reactions) and biology (life on earth and that aquatic animals are adapted to their environment), for 7-11 year-olds.
This variety show brings researchers together for a performance full of comedy, writing, music, art and science...all on stage. It's an opportunity for UCL researchers to share what they do with an informal audience.
A lively performer with a range of shows regularly performed during the Edinburgh International Science festival, and elsewhere.
A national talent competition to find the UK's best new talent in science communication.
A touring theatre company specialising in puppetry. It encourages the audience to consider a variety of issues, some of which can be controversial. One of its recent shows was entitled 'The man who discovered that women lay eggs', a show about the research and discovery of the female reproduction system.
The Kinetic Theatre Company tours musical plays geared to the national curriculum for science at primary school level. It aims to make science entertaining and fun, as well as educational.
Pulse has supported a wide range of performances and organisations that have engaged young people with biomedical science and encouraged them to tackle complex, emotive issues through arts projects.
A science and numeracy-based theatre-in-education company, aimed at school students. It aims to make science and numeracy accessible and relevant to young people.
The online guide to science presenters and outreach shows. It has been specifically designed for teachers and youth group leaders, to make it easier to arrange visits from science presenters. Science Live is run on a not-for-profit basis. It is free to use the site and free to be listed on the site. Science Live is funded by Planet Science and the Scottish Executive and managed by the BA. It has been developed by indigo, Think-Lab and the BA.
Science Showoff
This is an open mic night for scientists, science communicators, science teachers, historians and philosophers of science, students and anyone else with something to show off about science. It happens once a month in London, and you cand out event details here.
Visualise uses physical theatre, live demonstrations and projected images to communicate science to people of all ages.
Aims to highlight important and often difficult social, moral and political issues such as climate change and the use of animals in medical research. Y Touring's performances are aimed at both young people and adults.
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