The Royal Institution’s Michael Cutts demonstrates why science-curious audiences have flocked to London’s Piccadilly for 200 years, and brings the magic of live science into the Old King’s Head.
On Wednesday 21st May, PubSci is excited to welcome Michael Cutts from the renowned science demonstration team at the Royal Institution of Great Britain, famous for the televised Christmas Lectures and Monthly Discourses that broke some of the biggest science news live.
Michael has designed, built, and showcased science demos at the Ri and around the world. In this special presentation he’ll take us through the Ri’s history of demonstrating science to audiences and the importance of showing as well as telling. And to make the point, Michael is bringing some safe yet hugely impressive demonstrations to do live at the Old King’s Head.
Very few tickets remain. Book now, or read on to learn more. Book your tickets on Eventbrite.
Have you ever wondered who invented the electric motor? How the greenhouse effect was experimentally proved? Where both photography and the discovery of electrons were announced to the world?
It may surprise you to learn all this (and much, much more) happened just off London’s Piccadilly.
The Royal Institution of Great Britain – sometimes known by its chemical symbol, Ri – has been considered The Home of Science since 1799 and is famous for the live theatre demonstrations which bring science to life. According to a contemporary writer, Michael Faraday’s 1848 Christmas Lecture series on candles “contained more of romance than all the operas, plays and books I was allowed to see…”
For May’s PubSci we bring the romance and wonder of live science to The Old King’s Head in London’s historic Liberty of Southwark, famous in Elizabethan times for rowdy theatres, bear pits and the forbidden allure of the “Winchester Geese”. But have no fear, this entertainment involves no animal cruelty or loose morals. Instead, PubSci is delighted to present a special evening celebrating the scientific discoveries and demonstrations in 200 years of Ri Discourses and Christmas Lectures. Don’t forget, we won’t only be talking about science, we’ll be treated to several live demos, safe and suitable for a pub!
Join us upstairs at the Old King’s Head on Wednesday 21st May. Places for this talk are limited and selling fast, so book now!
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PubSci talks are pay-what-you-can – you can make a contribution when booking on Eventbrite or as a cash contribution on the night. Join us for another round of Sipping, Supping Science… in the pub.
Doors open at 6.30 for a 7pm start. Talks run for ~45 minutes and are followed by a Q&A session. The Old King’s Head has a happy hour before 7pm, and the kitchen serves excellent pub grub.
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About the speaker
Michel Cutts is the Royal Institution’s Content Producer for Heritage and Demos. He researches the unparalleled scientific history of the Ri while designing and creating demos for stage, TV, and presentation in the Ri’s world-famous Faraday Theatre.
Michael studied ecology at the University of East Anglia before working with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation on their pink pigeon conservation project. He then started a master’s in taxonomy and biodiversity at Imperial College and the Natural History Museum, analysing mathematically mammalian routes to extinction.
PubSci is delighted to welcome back Michael as the fifth speaker in PubSci’s 2025 programme.
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Keep Up With Future Events
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Posted by Richard Marshall, PubSci organiser and host.
PubSci: Sipping • Supping • Science
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About PubSci talks
PubSci is organised and hosted by science communicator, Richard Marshall, assisted by Mike Lucibella. Events are held upstairs at the Old King’s Head, near London Bridge tube. No specialist knowledge is required, just curiosity. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Talks run for ~45 minutes and are followed by a Q&A session. The Old King’s Head has a happy hour before 7pm, and the kitchen serves excellent pub grub.
There is no charge for attending PubSci talks, but we have a cash whip-round to cover expenses on the night – consider it “Pay What You Can Afford”. As few of us carry cash these days, you can make a donation when registering for ticketed events with Eventbrite. Please help us continue putting on events. PubSci has no other source of funding.
We aim to keep PubSci accessible for all, although it is unsuitable for under 18s as we meet in the function room of a pub. Regrettably, there is no wheelchair access.
You can find all our links on our LinkTree.
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We generally hold events on the third Wednesday of the month, upstairs at the Old King’s Head near London Bridge Underground (Borough High Street east side exit). Join us every month apart from December for a regular dose of Sipping, Supping & Science.
Address:
The Old King’s Head (upstairs room)
King’s Head Yard
45-49 Borough High Street
London SE1 1NA
PubSci 