2013 Edinburgh Fringe

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Science and sex take centre stage in Bonk!: the sci-fact-romp-com play that explores sex from various positions and takes the Edinburgh Fringe firmly by the balls and beakers!

Inspired by the New York Times' bestselling novel Bonk: the curious coupling of Science and Sex, Bonk! is a titillating look at the biology, chemistry and physics of sex via the enthralling and often bizarre microcosm of sex research scientist Cat, and her disgruntled husband Sam.

Bonk! takes a broader look at sex within the media and the scientific community. It embraces the awkward and sticky situations anyone 'having the sex' can get into. From musical numbers and sex research patients to horny university students and animal sexologists - no position is left unexplored. When the board threaten to pull the plug on Cat's research, she faces the real prospect of losing the man she adores for the work she loves.

"The scenarios in the book are inherently theatrical and hilarious,"says Bonk! producer Isobel Marmion who approached the author Mary Roach about adapting Bonk for the stage. After Roach's enthusiastic response, Marmion created Crowtown Theatre Company. "Sexpertise starts with education. Performance, especially comedy, makes it fun and accessible." Although Marmion herself is celibate, she was struck by the space sex occupies from a universal and historical standpoint.

"Sex causes so much havoc," she says. "The having, the not having; the having but not having the sort you want - in everyone's lives - when in actuality, it's all about science!"

Bonk! is written, performed, produced and directed by London-based Crowtown Theatre Company.