David Epley, better known around the world as the mad German scientist Doktor Kaboom, kicks off his fourth year at the Edinburgh Fringe with science and life lessons. Using physics, Doktor Kaboom reveals how pressure is all around us, and relates these eccentric experiments to real-life pressure that builds up on kids.
“KABOOMS” and “JAs” from the young audience kept everyone excited and oh so loud (earplugs won’t just be handy for the experiments), during the wacky and creative show, named for its theme of exploring pressure, in the most explosive ways possible.
Whilst one or two experiments took an unexpected twist, it only added more to Doktor Kaboom’s madman character as he fixed the errors in frantic comedic fashion.
Doktor Kaboom loves to demonstrate how “anyvun” can be a scientist through experiments that could even be fun for families to try at home. A particularly impressive moment comes when one experiment sees a little girl fly across the room.
Doktor Kaboom manages to keep adults entertained throughout the one-hour show with clever jokes, doubling up at times as a standup, with witty one-liners about the unpredictability of his experiments.
Applauded for his experiments, which at times highlight the stress children can be under, his openness around mental health is clear from beginning to end. David engages parents and older children on the impact of COVID on kids and how important it is for children to talk about anxiety and stress, opening parents up to the fact that this can come from a very young age.
Commissioned by the John F Kennedy Centre for the Arts in Washington DC the show is an excellent example of how education can be fun and family-friendly.
Doktor Kaboom: Under Pressure! 13:40, Pleasance Courtyard Beyond until August 25 (Not 13th)
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/doktor-kaboom-under-pressure
