Kingston University - Jokes from far beyond the Fringe

An academic whose mind is usually focused on the distant realms of outer space has found himself an unexpected niche as an adviser on extraterrestrial humour. Chris Welch, a principal lecturer from Kingston University and aerospace expert, was approached by stand-up comedian Helen Keen who wanted to get the facts right for her show at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival, It IS Rocket Science! Described as a celebration of star-gazing and the boundless possibilities of an infinite universe, Ms Keen's comedy show received a small development grant from the Institute of Physics. It IS Rocket Science! - which promises "jokes about orbit mechanics, space Nazis and stamps" - will be performed daily at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival programme until 26 August.