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Source: Queensland Theatre Company
The Wider Earth single work   drama  
Date: 2022
Date: 2016
Issue Details: First known date: 2016... 2016 The Wider Earth
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

The Wider Earth recounts 'in epic form a scientific voyage of discovery that would, in the end, rock the foundations of religion and revolutionise scientific thought.' Over two hours, and with the incorporation of puppetry, writer/director David Morton focuses 'unwaveringly on Darwin’s journey from dilettantish family disgrace to tormented scientific pioneer thrown headlong into conflict with God' (Buzzacott).

In his review of the 2016 premiere production Martin Buzacott writes of the production's conception:

The kicker comes with the puppetry, beautifully rendered moving incarnations of the wildlife that inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution. These gorgeous and charming creations (in part ­inspired by Handspring Puppet Company in Cape Town) not only captivate the audience’s imagination but, through theatrical ­estrangement, constantly rein­force the diversity, beauty and wonder of the natural world.

Entranced by the big picture horizons of galaxies and maps projected on to the cavernous Bille Brown Studio walls, the audience journeys with Darwin on the Beagle’s voyage in which 19th-century Bible-bashing runs headlong into evidence contradicting inherited belief (Australian 18 July 2016).

Notes

  • The Wider Earth was originally developed at St. Ann’s Puppet Lab at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn, New York (USA).

Production Details

  • Produced by Queensland Theatre Company and Dead Puppet Society at the Bille Brown Studio, Brisbane; 14 July - 7 August 2016

    Director/Co-Designer/Puppet Designer: David Morton.

    Creative Producer/Puppet Fabricator: Nicholas Paine.

    Co-Designer: Aaron Barton.

    Lighting Designer: David Walters.

    Co-Composers: Lior and Tony Buchen.

    Sound Designer: Tony Brumpton.

    AV/Animation: Designer Justin Harrison.

    Dramaturg: Louise Gough.

    Assistant Puppet Coach: Helen Stephens.

    Stage Manager: Jodie Roche-Jones.

    Assistant Stage Manager/Sound Operator: Sam Maher.

    Cast: Margi Brown Ash (Reverend John Henslow/John Herschel), Tom Conroy (Charles Darwin), Lauren Jackson (Emma Wedgwood), Thomas Larkin (John Wickham), David Lynch (Richard Matthews/Robert Darwin), Jonty Martin (Jemmy Button), Anthony Standish (Robert Fitzroy), Anna Straker (Polly/Puppet Captain), and Robert Coleby (Voice of old Darwin).

    Presented by Merrigong Theatre Company (as a Dead Puppet Society, Trish Wadley Productions, and Glass Half Full Productions production) at IMB Theatre, Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, 16 - 19 March 2022.

    Director & Co-Designer: David Morton.

    Creative Producer: Nicholas Paine.

    Associate Director: Matt Seery.

    Co-Designer: Aaron Barton.

    Composers: Lior and Tony Buchen.

    Sound Designer: Tony Brumpton.

    Associate Sound Designer: Brady Watkins.

    Projection Designer: Justin Harrison.

    Associate Lighting Designer: Christine Felmingham.

    Dramaturg: Louise Gough.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 2016
VIEW PUBLICATION DETAILS FOR ALL VERSIONS ()

Works about this Work

[Review] The Wider Earth Yen-Rong Wong , 2022 single work review
— Appears in: The Saturday Paper , 19-25 February 2022;
— Review of The Wider Earth David Morton , 2016 single work drama 'The Dead Puppet Society’s The Wider Earth is a captivating enactment of Charles Darwin’s discovery of evolution. By Yen-Rong Wong.'
The Dead Puppet Society's David Morton and Nick Paine Chris Currie , 2016 single work column
— Appears in: The Saturday Paper , 16 July 2016;

Christopher Currie visits the duo behind a production that explores Charles Darwin’s voyage aboard the HMS Beagle.
Where Beagle Dares : The Wider Earth Depicts a Young Darwin Emily Ritchie , 2016 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 14 July 2016;
— Review of The Wider Earth David Morton , 2016 single work drama

Preview of the 2016 world premiere season (Bille Brown Studio, Brisbane; 14 July - 7 August).
Bringing The Wider Earth Home Important to Queensland Theatremakers Nathanael Cooper , 2016 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 14 July 2016;
— Review of The Wider Earth David Morton , 2016 single work drama

Preview of the 2016 world premiere season (Bille Brown Studio, Brisbane; 14 July - 7 August).
'The Wider Earth' 2016 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Arts Review , July 2016;
— Review of The Wider Earth David Morton , 2016 single work drama

Review of the 2016 world premiere season (Bille Brown Studio, Brisbane; 14 July - 7 August).
Stage David Morton’s 'The Wider Earth' is Aston­ishingly Original Martin Buzacott , 2016 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 18 July 2016;
— Review of The Wider Earth David Morton , 2016 single work drama

Review of the 2016 world premiere season (Bille Brown Studio, Brisbane; 14 July - 7 August).
'The Wider Earth' 2016 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Arts Review , July 2016;
— Review of The Wider Earth David Morton , 2016 single work drama

Review of the 2016 world premiere season (Bille Brown Studio, Brisbane; 14 July - 7 August).
Bringing The Wider Earth Home Important to Queensland Theatremakers Nathanael Cooper , 2016 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 14 July 2016;
— Review of The Wider Earth David Morton , 2016 single work drama

Preview of the 2016 world premiere season (Bille Brown Studio, Brisbane; 14 July - 7 August).
Where Beagle Dares : The Wider Earth Depicts a Young Darwin Emily Ritchie , 2016 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 14 July 2016;
— Review of The Wider Earth David Morton , 2016 single work drama

Preview of the 2016 world premiere season (Bille Brown Studio, Brisbane; 14 July - 7 August).
[Review] The Wider Earth Yen-Rong Wong , 2022 single work review
— Appears in: The Saturday Paper , 19-25 February 2022;
— Review of The Wider Earth David Morton , 2016 single work drama 'The Dead Puppet Society’s The Wider Earth is a captivating enactment of Charles Darwin’s discovery of evolution. By Yen-Rong Wong.'
The Dead Puppet Society's David Morton and Nick Paine Chris Currie , 2016 single work column
— Appears in: The Saturday Paper , 16 July 2016;

Christopher Currie visits the duo behind a production that explores Charles Darwin’s voyage aboard the HMS Beagle.
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Awards

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Last amended 13 Dec 2021 16:29:04
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