EDINBURGH 2014 - BWW Reviews: ZOMBIE SCIENCE: BRAIN OF THE DEAD, C Venues, August 2 2014

Dr Austin, expert on the undead and head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies is offering his expertise to Fringe-goers in two shows this August. An investigation into the brains of those who eat brains, Zombie Science: Brain of the Dead is about the neuroscience of the pop culture favourites, mixing the theory with plenty of comedy.

Billed as a spoof lecture, you won't believe quite how accurate it is to real lectures. Anyone with a degree will recognise the teacher or professor desperate to show just how cool and young at heart they are, complete with awkward pop culture references and cheesy aide-memoires. Armed with a trusty powerpoint presentation, Austin embodies this archetypal lecturer throughout, complete with an outfit I would have sworn was stolen from my high school science department. This highly avuncular persona allows for a mixture of groan-inducing self-aware puns and straight-faced comedy with outrageous punchlines dropped in almost under the radar, the latter of which allowed him to get away with a few rather outrageously contemporary punches. A few of the references may have seemed a little forced - one too many cheap cracks at Justin Bieber perhaps - though it still rings true enough with the character.

Through the medium of lecturing, multimedia presentations, discussions with his "students" and practical demonstrations with audience volunteers, Austin's lecture made me feel that I did actually learn quite a bit about how the brain works, with just enough neuroscience and biology sprinkled throughout to lend a bit of credibility to the more fantastical aspects. Austin obviously knows his stuff, fielding questions in character on the science of zombies from the audience at the end, with the show supported by the University of Glasgow and the Wellcome Trust as proof of its scientific credentials. Another nice touch was the handing out of course notes as the audience entered, with an online exam offered to test your newfound zombie knowledge.

A great show for anyone who enjoys the likes of The Walking Dead or the works of Max Brooks, Zombie Science: Brain of the Dead offers plenty of laughs and more than a little nourishment for your brain. Just be warned, such added seasoning may make your brain extra tasty when the apocalypse comes.

Zombie Science: Brain of the Dead performs each night at 7.10pm until August 25th (not 12th) at C venues. Zombie Science: Worst Case Scenario runs at the same venue at 10pm.

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