The science of fun with Robin Ince

A WORKING knowledge of quantum physics or fun facts about the behaviour of particles probably feature pretty low on your list of ice-breakers or party banter.

Then again, you’ve never been privy to one of comedian and science whiz Robin Ince’s get-togethers.

After 11 years, the stand-up artist has explored the deepest secrets of our universe, blending some mind-boggling scientific theories with a glut of hilarious gags in what remains of the most idiosyncratic brands of comedy in the UK.

“I believe we shouldn’t look down on the audience,” said the comedian.

“People shouldn’t be scared of approaching big ideas. Once you’ve got the whole universe to play with there are lots of subjects to talk about.”

After runs getting into the theory of evolution and cleaning out Schrodinger’s Cat, Robin will look inwards as he tackles the human mind when he returns to Swindon’s Arts Centre this month.

As per usual, the subject of his latest show, Blooming Buzzing Confusion, was suggested to him by a stranger on a train. It is from such unlikely encounters – and subsequent offers to take part in psychology experiments or have his brain activity recorded – that his best material has stemmed.

“My whole life is touring, so I meet different people on different trains. I had the scan in July and I was able to look at the very thing that puts together our picture of the world and how you experience the world.

“In the same way observational comics talk about what happens when you got to the supermarket, I find jokes and punch lines around these experiences.”

From this starting point, Ince will delve into our grey matter and explore our innate self-consciousness and the tricky situations it can lead to.

“Every six months I come up with an idea and say I want to do a show about Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution or particle physics and I do some research. I’m not from a scientific background – I studied English at university. I spend a lot of time reading and asking people questions.

“And I want to generate questions and conversations. People come up to me after the shows. I’ve even had prospective PhDs give me their papers until they realised I knew nothing.”

His co-host, Brian Cox, on BBC Radio 4 show The Infinite Monkey Cage and a motley crew of friends and acquaintances, including a Nobel Prize winner, have been vital to his research and thirst for knowledge.

Stand-up and science may seem mutually exclusive to most but Ince fiercely rejects the notion. It has become his mission to broaden his audience’s horizons.

But sending spectators into fits of giggles remains his end goal. Ultimately it is all about getting the science-to-jokes balance exactly right.

“I know that the audience is not au fait with all the laws of science and the universe. I try to mix things up.

“I need to set things up in a different way from other comics. I can’t really say, ‘You know when you walk into a lab?’ “I’ve had to find out how much information to give first but not lead to confusion. Jokes are very important. I’m always thinking about where I’m going to find the next laugh. Once you make people laugh then they are slightly more relaxed and open to ideas.”

The formula has worked a treat and over the years both scientific and comedy camps have claimed him as their own. Ince has scooped no fewer than three Chortle Awards and the Time Out Outstanding Achievement Award as well as two honorary PhDs and a fellowship of the British Science Association.

Recognition, however, is still something he struggles with and “impostor syndrome” does rear its ugly head at any sign of an award nomination.

“I get a bit of impostor syndrome. Sitting at UCL where I was getting an honorary doctorate, I found myself in robes next to these brilliant people. I felt like an impostor. But then you get your drink and you think ‘Actually this is all right’.”

 Robin Ince’s new show, Blooming Buzzing Confusion at Swindon’s Art Centre on Tuesday