7 August 2013
Dundee researchers stand up for their research at Fringe
Photo shows Professor Trevor Harley on stage.
Five mirth-making academics from the University of Dundee are among the 1000-plus comedians taking part in this year's
Edinburgh Fringe.
The researchers are performing at the legendary Assembly Rooms in George Street as part of the 'Bright Club at the Fringe'
events, which take place until 25th August and see academics from across the UK represent fields from Art to Zoology. While the
University academics have taken part in Bright Club Dundee events over the past year, this is their debut performance at the
world's biggest comedy festival.
Professor Trevor Harley, from the School of Psychology, was the first of the Dundee contingent to take to the stage on Sunday. His well-received set saw him recount the trials and tribulations of being a psychologist and how his resolution to live forever has been defeated due to boredom.
'It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, which I would definitely do again,' he said. 'I think I was funny. So funny in fact that I made myself smile, and anyone who knows me will tell you that I never smile. I am sure the Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination is in the post and am now awaiting offers for my own television show.'
Other Dundee performers hoping to leave the Assembly Rooms crowd rolling in the aisles are:
- Dr Rachel Menzies (School of Computing) - Monday, 19th August
- Dr Karen Petrie (School of Computing) - Tuesday 20th and Wednesday, 21st August
- Dr Ariel Bergmann (Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy) - Thursday, 22nd August
- Dr Michelle Lim (Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science) - Sunday, 25th August
Professor Graeme Walker from the University of Abertay and Dr Chris Jefferson from the University of St Andrews,
both regulars at Bright Club Dundee events, will also be performing on Friday 16th and Monday 19th August respectively.
The Bright Club movement was established by scholars whose thirst for knowledge led them to hypothesise what might happen
if research and comedy were mixed and left to ferment in front of an audience.
The gigs set out to dispel the stereotype of the stuffy academic with fresh and inventive stand-up that both entertains and
enlightens. Part funded by the Scottish Government's Talking Science grant scheme, academic researchers from all fields and
backgrounds take to the stage to perform short stand-up comedy routines about their work.
Bright Club runs in cities all over the UK and Australia, and the Fringe show brings together the best of Britain's
Bright Clubs. A faculty of nearly 90 performers will cover diverse topics ranging from stress in bacteria to The Bee Gees,
obesity in horses to the inherent inaccuracy of Hundreds-and-Thousands confectionary.
'Bright Club at the Fringe' takes place at Studio 1, The Assembly Rooms, from 3.45pm until Sunday, 25th August (not 1st or
12th). Tickets for the one-hour show cost £10 and £9 (concessions).
The next Bright Club Dundee show will take place at Braes, Perth Road, on Tuesday, 17th September. For more information
please visit www.BrightClubDundee.org.
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277 |
