Audiences get a lot of bangs for their buck at this energetic kids’ show from Australia. Professor Lexi Con and Noel Edge are a couple of self-confessed nerds, bringing along lessons about vocabulary and science, with 26 experiments and heaps of big words shoehorned into an hour-long performance with songs. 

Bubble displays, smoke doughnuts, fireballs and dry ice are among the highlights as Noel teaches us about physics, acoustics, chemistry and meteorology. Meanwhile, Lexi enlightens us on the meaning of words including idiopraxist, tenebrous or the obsolete yepsen.

The age five and above advice seems spot on as lots of younger kids are visibly restless (and some adults too, it has to be said). As fascinating and fun as the content is, the pace often feels too frantic with not enough time to let it all sink in. Running through the alphabet in a mixed-up order seems one extra layer too far, over-complicating things. That said, families will find plenty to marvel at with leaf blowers, drills, liquid nitrogen, and bike pumps all brought in for this proudly geeky and slapstick demonstration. 

The Alphabet Of Awesome Science, Underbelly George Square, until 28 August, 2.15pm.