Art, performance and science combine for explosive performances in Devon

A cutting-edge science cabaret is about about to explode (erm, maybe literally) onto the scene in Devon. Called Dark Matters, the performance aims to cast some light on the mysterious goings on at the Large Hadron Collider, and offer a few scientific insights on the way, in electron charged performances.

Dark Matters, which is produced by Foot-Candle productions, will be at the Carlton Theatre for the Teignmouth Science Festival, the Bushel Theatre, Newton Abbot and The Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter, for the first of its earth shattering (it’s about the universe, what do you expect) performances.

Foot-Candle is made up of John Teasdale, geologist-cum-street performer-cum-mathematician-and-physicist, and Portia Smith, who spent 20 years in London acting, writing and producing theatre about science and life before moving to Devon to live as a physics teacher.

Together they hatched Dark Matters, a desire to communicate the wonders of particle physics to curious people.

To make sure the productions are right up-to-date on the latest research, they’ve called on the talents of Dr Helen Heath, their scientific advisor. Helen works at CERN and has access to all the current information.

The performances are supported by the Science and Technology Facilities Council.

Oh, and in case you didn’t know, a foot-candle is a non-SI unit of illuminance or light intensity widely used in photography, film, television, conservation lighting, and the lighting industry.