Science communicator Timandra Harkness

The Edinburgh Festival is a frenetic place. Whatever sort of entertainment you could want, you’ll find it there: highbrow theatre, close-up magic, ventriloquism, alternative comedy, juggling, bagpipes — the latter two being almost impossible to avoid, no matter how much you try. This year’s festival, however, will offer something a bit different: a comedy show based on engineering. Not only that, a comedy show that takes engineering seriously.

Humans versus nature: engineering for the win is the brainchild of writer/comedian Timandra Harkness and comedian/mathematician (or, as he puts it, maths ninja) Matt Parker. It’s their second collaboration; the first, Your days are numbered: the mathematics of death premiered at Edinburgh two years ago and the duo were touring it until earlier this year.

‘Both of us really like engineering,’ Harkness explained. ‘Matt actually did part of his degree in it and I’ve never done a qualification but it’s always fascinated me. Although I love the open-endedness of science, there’s something about working with engineers whose work revolves around solving problems, whether it’s to do with flying faster, getting clean water in Africa, or reading books in daylight on electronic gadgets. Even more so because we’re so often surrounded by people who tell us we can’t do things.’