How does a theatre production recreate Charles Darwin's famous voyage on the HMS Beagle, and do justice not only to the real-life tale of discovery, but the creatures the scientist came across? Dead Puppet Society's involvement in The Wider Earth might just give the answer to that question away. And we're not just talking about using shadows and felt to recreate everyday animals, either.
Expect the delicate flutters of longhorn beetles and the slow lumbering of ancient tortoises to come alive on stage — and the naturalist's journey from the Andes through the Amazon to the Galapagos Islands as well. On the human side of things, expect a cast that includes Margi Brown Ash, Tom Conroy, Lauren Jackson and Thomas Larkin to bring a piece of history back to life in a lively a coming-of-age narrative.
Plus, not only does The Wider Earth celebrate its world premiere season in Brisbane from July 9 by letting a real-life quest play out with 30 custom-created puppets and eight actors — it also boasts a collaboration between two of Australia's leading musical creators, too. Singer-songwriter Lior and producer Tony Buchen have joined forces to ensure that the sounds of this adventure are as magical as the underlying story.