A Flying Photon

Go on a glittering and whimsical journey to meet everyone’s favourite object in the universe, even if you haven’t heard of it: the tiny, tiny photon. Through humour, sequins and stars, uncover a bizarre piece of quantum mechanics which brings us both a sunset and the internet.

Science meets theatre in this amalgamated mess of comedy and quantum. There will be experiments, poetry, and a deep dive into some of the best features in the cosmos, including our wonderfully radiating selves.

This is science that sparkles on all levels – from the heliosphere to our own lithosphere – that will have you celebrating colours of light you’ve never even seen.

Just be ready for all the puns. This is enlightening light entertainment after all!

PRAISE FOR A FLYING PHOTON

“Do yourself a favour – you’ll laugh and learn at the same time.” - Dr Karl

"Rachel gives us something special. She shows how science can merge with theatre and poetry to offer information and entertainment at the same time." – Paula Benson, Weekend Review

“Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer, fuses physics with theatre and comedy in a glittering journey beyond the edges of the visible spectrum." - Rachel Mead, In Daily (4 stars)

"Science explainer Rachel Rayner is blazing a trail with a new type of Fringe show." - Clare Peddie, The Advertiser (4 stars)

“Whether you’re a gamma-ray-geek, x-ray enthusiast, or tend to side-step science, this show is sure to engage you.” - Helen Karakulak, On The Record (4 Stars)

"Very rarely have I had the opportunity to say I walked away from a comedy show smarter than when I walked in, but that’s the gift Rayner gives you." - Naomi Gall, The AU Review (4 stars)

4 stars - In Daily

4 stars - The Advertiser

4 stars - On The Record

4 stars - The Au Review

ABOUT RACHEL RAYNER

Rachel Rayner is a science communicator, physicist and performer who has contributed to projects throughout the world. Her debut on the Fringe stage, at the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2021, resulted in sold out shows. Rachel has written and performed countless shows for Questacon—the National Science and Technology Centre, and the Discovery Science and Technology Centre in Bendigo. Following her three previous shows on light, her favourite show to write was “Grossology” despite her initial disgust. She has also published poetry, presented at the National Arts Festival (South Africa) and co-authored a paper on science poetry in Australia.

She has taken many other leaps, but performing for live audiences is her most exhilarating. She has jumped out of airplanes to feel the thermals for herself; narrated the life of hagfish from the middle of the Pacific Ocean; explained Mobius Strips to school children in the African desert, supported the Presidential launch of the MeerKAT observatory; and used air pressure to suck eggs into a bottle in Vietnam. Rachel has also exploded balloons in Bendigo and appeared alongside Dr. Karl on the ABC to explain the mysteries of the tube worm.