Jokes Engineered for a Niche Audience
The Brunel Museum has created a Tunnel of Fun in its iconic shaft by hosting Engineering Is A Joke, a comedy show of engineering-related comedy by engineering-related comedians, writes Michael Holland.
Professor Steve Cross compered a show that was very niche in how this group had come together in a museum dedicated to the engineering skills of the Brunels. It is part of their French Revolution season (Marc Brunel was French and escaped the bloodshed by fleeing), and all bases seemed to be covered during the evening’s entertainment.
Oliver Broadbent came on with a guitar and sang several comic songs. I thought the best ditty was one about someone having dental work where Bluetooth was actually inserted in a tooth, which had its advantages but then got a little out of hand.
Doctor of Trains, Shalaka Kurup, entered the stage looking just like a nice GP of some sort but quickly shook us up with a dirty joke. This caused a kerfuffle at the back when two steam train enthusiasts fell off their chairs and collided mid-fall.
The Aerospace Engineering PhD student, Shiv Kapila, was a laid-back guy. His gags didn’t always land where he wanted them to, but he had a good hit rate. And I’m sure his aeroplanes land better.
James Connolly was the French connection, who talked us through the Revolution, pun by pun, on the lines of ‘That guillotine was a pain in the neck…’ Not my kind of comedy, but some of the puns were so head-in-your-hands awful – which is exactly the reaction punsters are after – you had to groan and laugh at the same time.
His act was aided and abetted by a serial giggler in the audience who shrilled at the most punsy of the puns, which then made everyone else laugh. It could have been a bit discombobulating for Mr Connolly, but he worked it with aplomb.
This is a unique comedy show. I think I was more amazed at how each one had studied hard for many years and then thought, let me try stand-up! Some had completely left their old life behind after making mum and dad happy with a university degree, but most seemed to be juggling two vastly different careers.
The whole night’s amusement was held nicely together by Steve Cross, perhaps the most experienced of the gang.
Katherine McAlpine, Director of Brunel Museum, was there having a chuckle, and at the interval made sure to tell me of more unique events coming up:
On 25th March, the 183rd Anniversary of the Thames Tunnel, there will be a lecture by Jonathan Baggs, who worked for 13 years on the planning and construction of the Elizabeth Line before joining the Institution of Civil Engineers as Regional Director, leading public affairs, member events, and schools outreach for the London and South East regions.
For Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s birthday on April 9th, there is Brunel: Legacy, Image, Brand – Brunel Museum, a special lecture by Tim Bryan, a leading light in museum and heritage subjects, who has written two books about Brunel.
Booking and full details for all events: https://thebrunelmuseum.com/
