Podcast live
Australian Highlights - Live
Be part of this new series by joining the live audience.
The Australian Highlights series explores the captivating stories behind Australia's most groundbreaking innovations in science, art and culture.
A collection of podcast interviews, explainers and online articles, the Australian Highlights series is shining a light on the ingenuity and diversity that propel Australia forward.
Each episode is the result of a hunt for people and moments of Australian innovation that are not – yet – common knowledge. Rachel will interview a subject matter expert alongside a comedian for a show of laughs and discoveries which will eventually be published online as part of the series.
These stories can venture deep into space, head across the Western Australian outback, brighten the silver screen and analyse how we stack up against the rest of the world. There's no telling where we'll go and what we'll uncover along the way.
This series was made possible through the Meta Public Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation.
For more on this series, visit australianhighlights.com.au
Dates and Venues
Canberra: Space Junk
7 June, 2025, 3:00pm
Canberra Museum and Art Gallery
This event is supported by Inspiring Australia ACT, the ACT Government and the Canberra Museum and Art Gallery
New Zealand International Science Festival: NZ Edition
Dunedin
Thursday, 3 July 2025, 7:30pm
Reviews
"an enjoyable and enlightening experience for anyone curious about the universe—and a perfect fit for the FRINGE WORLD audience."
"Rayner brings together fascinating, articulate experts with curious, intelligent entertainers, facilitating conversations that sound like good friends chatting."
Customer review
Quantum Comedy
Atomically Correct
This is the (nuclear) fusion you've been waiting for! A science comedy that explores how, even though we're mostly nothing, we all still matter.
Unravel the mysteries from inside the atom in this new show with Rachel Rayner Science Explainer. From neutrinos and neutrons, to protons and positrons - you can't trust any of them, as they make up everything!
Solidly funny, with a splash of sequins and an air of wonder, this strange yet charming adventure will be full of ups and downs while breaking open the truth and beauty of the atom.
Delving into language, lies and quantum-level realities, this science comedy show for adults gives us space to contemplate and chuckle at the Universe and the happy accident that is the human race.
Whatever state you're in, it'll be a quarking good time.
TimeOut Sydney editor's pick of the Fringe and recommended by the Governor of South Australia, her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC.
Dates and Venues
New Zealand International Science Festival
Dunedin
Friday, 4 July 2025, 7:30pm
Saturday, 5 July 2025, 3:00pm
Tickets online soon
Sydney Fringe Festival
September 2025
Natimuk Frinj
October 2025
This show has travelled to:
Adelaide Fringe Festival 2024
Perth Fringe Festival 2024
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2024
Sydney Comedy Festival 2024
Canberra (National Science Week)
Reviews
"It's a show of equal parts charm, chaos, and intelligence."
"What you shouldn't miss is any show Rayner is in."
"I had no idea science was or could be so funny but Atomically Correct was a sheer delight from start to finish."
Audience review
"Witty, golden brilliance! Inspiring."
Audience review
"Superb. Rachel Rayner is made of star stuff."
Carl Sagan (allegedly)
Quantum Comedy
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 show meets fringe show 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 seen.
Just be ready for all the puns. This is enlightening light entertainment after all!
"Humorous and factual, with moments of genuine wonder." - the AU Review
This show won the Adelaide Fringe Festival's Science at the Fringe Award
Dates and venues
New Zealand International Science Festival
Dunedin
Tuesday, 2 July 2025, 7:30pm
Wednesday, 3 July 2025, 7:30pm
Tickets online soon
Past performances
Adelaide Fringe Festival, SA, 2021, 2022
Bendigo Comedy Festival, Vic
Natimuk Fringe Festival, Vic
Sydney Fringe Festival, NSW
Warners Bay Theatre, Lake Macquarie, NSW
Studio Amsterdam, Maitland, NSW
Smith's Alternative, Canberra, ACT
Astronomy Open Night, Macquarie University, NSW
Reviews
* * * * In Daily
* * * * The Advertiser
* * * * On The Record
* * * * The AU Review
“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 Notes
“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
“Let Rayner Explainer blow your mind so you can give a Flying Photon about the universe."
Clare Peddie, The Advertiser
"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
Past Shows
All Wrapped Up
Developed for Planet Ark's National Recycling Week, this show introduced the world to the slightly mad Polly Etheleen. A total plastiphile, Polly will help you keep plastic moving through the circular economy.
Science Explorations (Global)
Since 2011, Rachel has written and performed science shows around the world, on topics such as deep ocean animals, mechanical machines, human biology, and the forces of nature.