Magnus Danger Magnus is billed as being “the maddest scientist around” I have caught up with Magnus for a chat before the madness of the Edinburgh Fringe takes over to find out more about what audiences can expect.

Explosive Science Show  Magnus Danger Magnus

 

Is this your first time at Edinburgh Fringe?

Not at all! I’ve been lucky enough to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe every year since 2021 with a whole bunch of wild, wonderful productions from Showmen Productions—including CIRCUS The Show, The Greatest Magic Show, and Adults Only Magic Show. The Fringe has kind of become a second home for me—it’s one of the most exciting, creative places on Earth!

That said, this year is really special because it’s the first time we’re bringing The Explosive Science Show to Edinburgh. This show is incredibly close to my heart—it’s where I get to blend chaotic, high-energy science with my own personal story, especially around living with ADHD. I can’t wait to share it with Fringe audiences for the first time and hopefully inspire a whole new crowd of kids (and grown-ups!) to embrace the way their brains work too.

How long have you been preparing your show for Edinburgh?

Explosive Science Show has actually been touring since 2019, and we’ve been fine-tuning and refreshing it constantly ever since—adding new experiments, bigger bangs, and even more mind-blowing moments to keep things fresh and exciting for every audience.

In terms of preparing specifically for Edinburgh, the planning starts months in advance—especially because we’re dealing with a show that involves a LOT of chemicals and scientific props. One of the biggest (and trickiest!) parts is sourcing the materials we need once we’re over here, because there are definitely a few things we’re not allowed to bring on a plane from Australia!

What is your motivation to perform there?

Performing in Edinburgh is an absolute dream—and not just because it’s the biggest arts festival in the world (though that helps!). For me, the real motivation is the chance to connect with thousands of people from all over the globe in one incredible, electric city. There’s nothing quite like the Fringe energy—audiences come ready to be surprised, inspired, and entertained, and it pushes me to bring my absolute best every single show.

But on a deeper level, bringing The Explosive Science Show to Edinburgh is about sharing a message that really matters. As someone with ADHD, I know what it feels like to be told to tone it down or “focus more.” This show lets me flip that script and say to kids—especially those who think or learn differently—your brain is powerful just the way it is. That message lands differently at the Fringe, where diversity, creativity, and individuality are celebrated.

So the motivation? It’s the chance to explode stuff on stage, make science fun, and hopefully help a few kids walk out feeling a little more confident in who they are. That’s the magic of the Fringe.

What have you done to prepare for the Edinburgh Fringe, emotionally and physically?

Preparing for the Edinburgh Fringe is no small task—it’s a marathon, not a sprint—so I’ve learned over the years how important it is to get both physically and emotionally ready for the chaos and excitement of it all!

Physically, I’ve been testing and refining all our science experiments to make sure they’re Fringe-ready and safe to run multiple times a day. And of course, there’s the logistical workout of organising all the equipment and sourcing the chemicals we can’t fly with, which definitely keeps us on our toes!

Emotionally, I’ve been making space to recharge and check in with myself. Fringe is thrilling but also intense, especially for someone with ADHD. I’ve learned how important it is to plan for downtime, build structure into the chaos, and surround myself with a supportive team who get how my brain works. We’ve also spent time refining backstage routines that keep things calm and focused so I can bring the best of myself to every audience.

Ultimately, the best emotional prep is remembering why we’re doing this: to blow stuff up (safely), make science fun, and tell every neurodivergent kid out there that they’re not alone—and that their differences are something to be proud of. That purpose keeps me grounded and ready to give it everything I’ve got.

Have you had any advice from other’s who have performed at the Fringe?

I am repeatedly reminded about the importance of building healthy habits into the madness—things like eating properly, drinking enough water, and not skipping meals just because you’re running between shows. And sleep—sleep is everything. It’s so tempting to stay out late every night soaking up the buzz, but I’ve learned that if I want to keep the energy high on stage and stay emotionally steady, rest isn’t optional.

This advice has been especially important for me as someone with ADHD—structure and self-care help me manage the highs and lows of the festival environment. So now, part of my Fringe preparation includes setting routines, carving out quiet time, and making sure I’m recharging just as much as I’m performing.

Have you visited Scotland or Edinburgh before?

Yes, I’ve been lucky enough to visit Edinburgh multiple times before, thanks to my work with Showmen Productions. Since 2021, I’ve performed here every year with shows like CIRCUS The Show, The Greatest Magic Show, and Adults Only Magic Show. So Edinburgh isn’t just a place I perform—it’s become a bit of a second home to me.

How have you found booking  accommodation?

We’ve been fortunate to (somehow!) find a lovely place close to our venue that’s big enough to comfortably house our entire company of five cast members. Having everyone in a space that is comfortable makes a huge difference, especially during the busy Fringe schedule when timing and logistics are tight.

That said, this year it was definitely a bit more challenging to secure accommodation. Availability was tighter than in previous years, and costs have gone up quite a bit—something many other performers have been telling us about and that I’ve witnessed first hand.

What plans do you have for your show after the Edinburgh Fringe is over?

After our run at the Edinburgh Fringe, Explosive Science Show heads straight back to Australia for an exciting series of festivals and performance seasons. We’ll be appearing in both Sydney and Melbourne, bringing our high-energy science spectacle to new audiences across the east coast.

Following that, we’ll return to Perth—our home base—before heading into the new year with performances planned for both Perth and Adelaide. Throughout this time, we’ll continue our commitment to meaningful community engagement, especially with children’s hospitals, primary schools, and local organisations back home in Perth. These visits remain a core part of what we do, ensuring that the impact of the show extends beyond ticketed audiences and into the spaces where inclusion and visibility matter most.

Our goal is to keep the message of the show—celebrating neurodiversity, embracing difference, and empowering all kids to be themselves—alive and growing well beyond Edinburgh.

Photo credit-Frank Packer.

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/explosive-science-show

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