GASTRONAUT
The Utterly Revolting Science Show
Science Communicator/Performer job spec
Employer
: Crossplatform TV Ltd (for Gastronaut Productions)
Reports to
: Producer (Stefan Gates), Production Manager (Gareth Baston)
Start date
: Cast confirmed Oct, meets in Dec, rehearsals Jan 26, shows from Feb.
Dates:
30+ show dates/year across UK (mainly during school holidays),
6x days rehearsals ~15 travel days ~2 paid non-show days (at home).
Pay:
Show days: £250, other days various rates (detail below)
Plus PDs + per-ticket and merch bonuses.
Estimated for 49 days: approx £14,000 inc PDs.
PLEASE NOTE
this role is only open to candidates who have the flexibility to commit to EVERY date that the show is booked in for, plus extra dates as they are booked in (usually with 6 months notice). We understand that this may not suit all applicants, but it is essential. See dates listed so far at
About Gastronaut
Gastronaut Productions creates smart, funny, anarchic science theatre shows for family audiences across the UK. We mix explosions, comedy, and big ideas to spark curiosity and laughter. The shows have been hugely successful and our productions regularly sell out – over 60,000 tickets have been sold across 50 theatres in 2025. In 2026 we'll continue touring Rude Science
The Role
We are looking for an experienced, hugely charismatic, pro-active and technically-confident science communicator/presenter to be the performing lead in a two-person team touring a new theatre science show across the UK. The Utterly Revolting Science Show is the sister show to Rude Science (with different content but similar cheeky, tongue-in-cheek tone and smart, sharp, high-energy delivery). These are world-class sci-comm shows so candidates need to be science communicators at the top of their game, witty and spontaneous, brilliant at delivering spectacular but safe science content aimed at boisterous 5-13yr-olds and parents. Demos include noisy explosions, smoke, food, latex props .
You will be the performing lead and your co-presenter will take a larger stage management role. You will need to work seamlessly as a two-person touring team, solving problems as they crop up and making sure that this brilliant show happens twice every performing day to a world-class standard.
Responsibilities
·
Prep and perform a largely scripted show as lead presenter for 26+ show days in professional theatres (avg. 350 capacity).
· Deliver meet & greets after each performance and manage merch stand.
· Support with touring duties: share van driving, get-in, performance, meet-and-greet, de-rig, and technical operation.
· Run video/audio effects using MimoLive software (training provided).
· Handle basic troubleshooting, problem-solving, and on-the-road fixes.
· Attend rehearsals, online training (food/fire safety), and occasional prep sessions.
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Essential
·
Experienced science communicator OR experienced performer with science qualification and demonstrable interest in science communication.
· Over 25 years old (for driving hire van)
· Full, clean UK driving licence and clean DBS (we will apply for you)
· Excellent presentation skills: witty, engaging, confident with young audiences
· Flexible and available for all tour dates (see schedule: )
Desirable
·
Touring theatre experience
· Understanding of family audiences including children aged 5-13
· Practical/technical understanding of live multi-media presentation
· Knowlede of Mimo Live
· Knowledge of Health and Safety
· Understanding of STEM in the curriculum
Show blurb
The UTTERLY REVOLTING SCIENCE SHOW
Brace yourselves for the
Rude Science
team's hilarious, high-tech, highly-explosive new journey through the human body, packed with burp biology, fart physics and revolting edible chemistry. Expect enormous bottoms, edible fireworks, burp machines and the world's loudest fart in this riotous science spectacular.
On the surface it's a rollercoaster of disgusting experiments built to delight young audiences, but under the bonnet it's a brilliantly-constructed curriculum-driven adventure designed to inspire Britain's kids with a lasting fascination for science.
Show day – typical timings
Leave hotel and drive to venue
Arrive at theatre stage door and load in (takes 2-3hrs)
Sound check
Doors open
Show 1 Part 1 – 45mins
Interval 20mins
Show 1 Part 2 – 25mins
End show – reset stage kit
Break
Doors open
Show 2 Part 1 – 45mins
Interval 20mins
Show 2 Part 2 – 25mins
End show & Get-out
Depart for next hotel (approx 2hrs drive). Share driving with co-presenter
Arrive at hotel
DATES
For reference, these are the main tour sections:
1.
Feb half-term Feb 14-22
2. Easter Mar 29-April 19
3. May half-term May 23-31
4. Early summer (mid-July to start Aug TBC
5. Oct/Nov half term Oct 9-Nov 1
6.
Possible
Christmas shows November-December 2026
Pay and contract
We expect a commitment to 12 months of shows, to be confirmed on an ongoing basis.
Show day Approx 30 days £250 per day
Rehearsal day Approx 5-6 days £200 per day
Travel day Approx 15 days £125 per day
Non-show days on location £100 per day
Non-show day (at home Approx £ 50 per day
Per Diems (breakfast already provided £ 25 per day
Bonuses
Per-ticket bonus 7.5p/ticket
eg 600 tix = £ 45 bonus per show day - variable
Merchandise bonus 4% gross
eg £600 sales = £ 24 bonus per show day - variable
Estimated 49 days = approx £14,000 inc PDs Variable
Accommodation
Single occupancy rooms – usually Premier Inn, breakfast provided.
Notes
Our production base is in Highbury, North London N5, and this will be used as the departure point for all scheduling and travel. However, if you're the perfect candidate and you live in Inverness, we'll try to help with transport costs.
Why Join Us?
This is a chance to be at the heart of an exciting, creative and highly successful touring company. You'll be working with a small, friendly team bringing spectacular, funny and inspiring science shows to theatres and audiences across the UK, and changing a few lives on the way.
The show is expected to continue touring for several years, and there will also be opportunities to get involved with new shows, demo development, stage management and scripting.
How to Apply
Send the following to
with the subject
Sci-Comm/Performer
:
1. CV
2. A link to a short taster video/showreel (a science demo/performance footage/talk) – preferably 2-5mins.
3. Short, informal, non-AI-generated covering letter.
Please note that references and an Enhanced DBS check will be needed if you are successful.
More info:
Application deadline
EOP Weds 15
th
October 2025
We aim to shortlist w/c 3 Nov and interviewing shortlisted candidates soon after.
Good luck