After What Comes Before[author-post-rating] (3/5)

After What Comes Before is the first of many science shows on my Edinburgh schedule this year. It follows three scientists who are attempting to build a game-changing ‘machine’, and uses humour to make some points about science and its practise. But though it’s a lot of fun, it sometimes feels like a bunch of vignettes rather than a cohesive whole.

Three scientists (played by Alex Monk, David Cartwright and Sam Berrill), who each specialise in a slightly different subject, have aspirations of grandeur. They are all fairly clueless in their own ways, and their experiments use use more and more questionable tactics on one of their number, Scott, who becomes a guinea pig of sorts.

It’s been collectively conceived and devised by the company (Manic Chord) and it shows in the show’s slickness. The trio spark off each other throughout and have clearly used aspects of their own personalities in order to maximise humour. A brilliant montage sequence shows the group at their best, as they bounce off each other and remain completely in tune.

An intelligent set design by Helen Russell Brown has many holes and secret compartments which allows new things to be discovered throughout. The four set pieces are covered in blackboard paint, as the setting itself becomes a place of thought and experiment. Stuart Mellor’s thumping, bassy sound design is sumptuously full and is timed well to add comedy.

Sometimes, however, it feels as though the trio are more adept at making sketches and vignettes than coming up with an argument through theatre. There is a moment of drama at the end as the trio have a brief conversation about ethics in science, but beyond this the tension doesn’t stretch very far. All the same, After What Comes Before is a witty piece of comic theatre which features some strong performances and doesn’t fail to raise a smile.

After What Comes Before is at Greenside until 24 August. For more information and tickets visit the Edinburgh Fringe website.