Action Science Theatre – Details, episodes & analysis

The Natural History Museum – a fine institution full of dusty, dead things. A bit like the House of Lords. Satire.

But how do you get into the Museum’s collections? Win a raffle? The X Factor? Who knows?

One man who hopes he does is Douglas Smith. Will he get his shrew past the tough entry criteria? Will he die at the hands of a psychotic doorman? Let’s find out!

Tom Thomas – Dan Bond
Douglas Smith – Matt Kirk
Alexander Twitch / Fred – Brian Mackenwells
Lady Elstree Loudmouse – Francesca Richards
Betty Boxer / Market Trader – Anna Trapmore
Billy Block / Doorman – Simon Wilson

Written by Dan Bond & Brian Mackenwells

Produced by Dan Booth

Some sound effects provided by Freesound.org and SoundBible.com

Things haven’t always been fair at Christmas. In the old days, before the Snapchat, some people didn’t get everything they wanted.

Women. They haven’t always had it easy. But there are some who fight for their rights! And there’s no better time to do it than when the nights draw in and those shops open that only sell pointless gadgets.

Grab yourself a mince pie, loosen your clothing, punch a reindeer, and listen to this eggy slice of audio fluff. Merry Christmas!

Dr Henry Keys – Jamie Crowther
Annabel – Elena Wright
Elizabeth Thomas – Anna Wilson
Nathaniel Thomas – Brian Mackenwells
Patricia – Rhona Mackenwells
Lydia – Debs Mckenna

Written by Dan Bond & Brian Mackenwells

Produced by Dan Booth

Some sound effects provided by Freesound.org

Have you ever had one of those friends? You know the type, will get you into trouble and then disappear when the going gets tough. Irish. Co-writer of the podcast you make. Named Brian. I think I may be giving you too much of a peek behind the curtains…

There hasn’t been enough Scandinavia in AST up until now, so here’s some. Will Steve make it out alive? Will Angela get to make some sandwiches? Will Marcus see things through? Things are getting seedy…

Marcus Houghton – Simon Wilson
Angela Thrushmartin – Rhona Mackenwells
Dr Vida Christensen – Kat Steiner
Dr Tomas Christensen – Rory Morrison
Steve Thrushmartin – Brian Mackenwells
Henrik Bodia – Dan Bond

Written by Dan Bond & Brian Mackenwells

Produced by Dan Booth

Music: “Elevators” by August Virga Sextet

Some sound effects provided by Freesound.org

I bet you love all those expensive comic book super hero films, don’t you? I can tell by the pyjamas your you’re wearing. Well, have you ever wondered what it’s like for the people who help them? You can’t run a crime-fighting enterprise without back room staff.

Join us for the tale of some of those back room staff. There’s even an HR lady getting involved in the action. It’s the way it should be. Tally ho!

Ms Banks – Anna Griffiths
Gus – Jack Brougham
Manisha – Sreya Rao
Dr Suzie Gregory – Francesca Richards
The Pink Fox / James – Dan Bond
Livingcross / Tom – Charlie Vicary

Written by Dan Bond & Brian Mackenwells

Produced by Dan Booth

Some sound effects provided by Freesound.org

Space. A big, empty void full of nothing. That’s what the AST writers have to contend with every month. So, the easiest thing is to take someone else’s idea. PARODY!

We’ve been here before with this fella, but this time he’s getting left on Mars. It’s just like a certain big budget blockbuster that came out not too long ago. But ours has an even bigger budget. And some farting.

Commander Masterton / Mr Weebly – Brian Mackenwells
MR CHIPS – Hannah Rackauskas
Flight Technician Lucy Steers – Elena Wright
Flight Engineer Harry Lim – Jamie Crowther
Flight Director Owen Styles – Dan Bond

Written by Dan Bond & Brian Mackenwells

Produced by Dan Booth

Some sound effects provided by Freesound.org

Woooooaaaahhhhh! Wooooooaaaaaahhhhh! Scared? Enough to make you rethink your life choices and embrace the Christmas spirit? Of course. That’s how it always works.

We have gone totally Christmas Carol crazy in this episode. Get ready for mistletoe, mulled wine, carol singers and our old friend Sir Isaac Newton. It’s our gift to you.

Narrator – Dan Booth
Marley – Simon Wilson
Lesley – Rhona Mackenwells
Sir Isaac Newton – Dan Bond
Science Present – Georgie Longley
Science Future – Wendy Bradley

Written by Dan Bond & Brian Mackenwells

Produced by Dan Booth

Music:
“Silent Night” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Some sound effects provided by Freesound.org

Travelling around the country is fun. And you can increase the fun by searching the airwaves to find local radio stations to listen to. The playlists, attitudes, and opinions have remained remarkably stable over the past 30 years. And that’s exactly what we all need more of in our lives.

One such radio station is about to get embroiled in the evil machinations of Dr Stroiker – who, because he’s a doctor, is up to naughty science shenanigans. Obviously. That’s what they do. Come listen, friends!

Terry – Mike MacDonald
Lily / Howie – Dave Robertson
Dr Stroiker / Roger – Matt Kirk
Mr Heroman / Henry – Brian Mackenwells
Lyn / Sgt Cuffs / Carl / Steve – Dan Bond

Written by Dan Bond & Brian Mackenwells

Produced by Dan Booth

Music:
“Breaking News AC2 Full” by Music For Your Media
“Infographics Loop” by DDMYZIK

Some sound effects provided by Freesound.org

Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, and due to the fact I’ve been cloned it’s very similar to the wool you already have. Ah, I love a classic nursery rhyme.

Get ready for this, as there’s a lot of skulking and flashbacks. Make a good 70’s cop duo wouldn’t they? Skulking and Flashbacks – wa-a-a wa-a-a wa-a-a. Anyway, ears at the ready, and let’s get it on.

George – Dan Bond
Nicola – Debs McKenna
Robin – Kat Steiner
Guard Jones – Kirsten Summers

Written by Dan Bond & Brian Mackenwells

Produced by Dan Booth

Some sound effects provided by Freesound.org
Sheep noises adapted from Sheep.com

Nemesesises’s. We all have one. Whether it’s the newsreader who always seems to be giving all the bad news DIRECTLY TO YOU, or the man whose evil plans you keep thwarting. Or that guy who’s sleeping with your girl / boyfriend. Yep. Now you know. We’ve all known for ages.

Stop whatever it is you’re doing and listen to this tale of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s greatest rival who you’ve never heard of because we just made him up. Listening to this episode is best done while dressed in period costume.

Mr Parnel – Simon Wilson
Diamond Letwich – Georgie Longley
Mrs Parnel – Victoria Maskell
Reporters – Brian Mackenwells, Dan Bond

Written by Dan Bond & Brian Mackenwells

Produced by Dan Booth

Some sound effects provided by Freesound.org

Bah bah bah bah! Bah bah bah! Bah bah bah bah! Bah bah bah bah bah!

You recognise it don’t you? Don’t you? Come on. No it’s not that one. The other one. The one with the guy in the hat. No I can’t just tell you in case the lawyers are reading. You’ll figure it out.

Join us Actioneers, as we venture between two worlds. One real, the other inside the mind of a man with a broom. You can almost taste the excitement. And it tastes like custard. Play, play, play!

Darren Broom – Mike Macdonald
Elicia Logan – Charvy Narain
Stephen Smith / Dr Smith – Brian Mackenwells

Written by Dan Bond & Brian Mackenwells

Produced by Dan Booth

Music:
“Heroes Confrontation” by Grégoire Lourme

Some sound effects provided by Freesound.org