The 3Rs meet Improvised Theatre!

The 3Rs are a fundamental principle for professionals working in science with animals, yet outside the research community, they remain relatively unknown. For the 3RCC, outreach is imperative—not only to highlight the importance of animals in research but also to showcase the continuous progress being made to Replace and Reduce animals in science, and to Refine their use. With this goal in mind, and on a chilly Saturday night in November, the 3RCC brought the 3Rs to a packed audience at CatCave9, a monthly improv show.

CatCave9, hosted by The Catalyst, is a unique blend of science, storytelling, and absurdity. Running for nine years now, it has become a staple of Lausanne's science communication scene. Jenny Sandström delivered a relatable and engaging demonstration of the importance of Refinement using an everyday object: a roll of toilet tissue. She wove in the significance of Replacement and Reduction, setting the stage for the improvisers to create their absurd yet enlightening story.

The performers imagined a world where humans themselves were enriched by the presence of animals in their homes—animals provided by scientists conducting experiments on the humans. Along the way, the audience met Rufus, a delightful and unexpected side effect of one such experiment. While the moral of the story remained ambiguous, the audience undeniably left with newfound knowledge about the 3Rs, a cornerstone of ethical research practices involving animals.

Thank you to the wonderful improvisers for welcoming us so warmly and so creatively supporting our goal of communicating the 3Rs to the public. You can find out more about the fantastic work of The Catalyst and CatCave9 here.