Science, comedy, and games come together at Play
One of the most exciting guests at Play 2026 is Barbascura X — chemist, science outreach expert, stand-up comedian, author, and one of the most followed and influential creators on the Italian web.
He rose to fame with the series Scienza Brutta, through which he transformed the way science is communicated, bringing it to theatre, television, and online audiences with his irreverent, unconventional style.
A bestselling author, he has also received the Premio Satira Forte dei Marmi 2023 and the Premio Nazionale di Divulgazione Scientifica Giancarlo Dosi 2020.
With MS Edizioni, in 2024 he published his first board game — Barbascura X: Evolversi Male — and in 2026 a new party game featuring his signature Bestie Bastarde. Keep an eye on the MS Edizioni channels in the coming weeks for more details on that one.
Do not miss this panel
At Play, Barbascura X will be joined by Enrico Macchiavello — illustrator of the game and one of the most distinctive artists and authors in the Italian scene — for a panel moderated by Michele Bellone. Expect a conversation where science, illustration, and game design collide.
Signing session
Saturday 23 May, 4–7 PM
MS Lounge Area — MS Edizioni area
Attendance is by reservation via Eventbrite (LINK).
A unique chance to meet one of the most iconic figures in contemporary science communication — and to discover how science can become a game, a story, and a spectacle.
