The Wider Earth

Reimagine Darwin's voyage.

Before Darwin changed the world, one voyage changed his life.

The award-winning drama The Wider Earth by David Morton tells the story of the rebellious young Charles Darwin.

Join the twenty-two year old Darwin on HMS Beagle’s daring voyage to the far side of the world and discover the gripping story behind one of the most important discoveries in history.

An ensemble cast, remarkable puppetry, cinematic projections and an original score by Lior and Tony Buchen all combine to bring to life uncharted landscapes and incredible creatures in this highly ambitious theatrical event.

You can rent The Wider Earth and other productions including Ishmael and Holding Achilles via QPAC’s Digital Stage platform, explore behind the scenes content about the making of our productions and access our Digital Workshop offerings.

Director and Co-Designer David Morton Creative Producer Nicholas Paine Associate Director Matt Seery Co-Designer Aaron Barton Composers Lior & Tony Buchen Sound Designer Tony Brumpton Associate Sound Designer Brady Watkins Projection Designer Justin Harrison Original Lighting Designer David Walters UK and Tour Lighting Designer Lee Curran Associate Lighting Designer Christine Felmingham Head of Puppet Fabrication/Wardrobe Savannah Mojidi Dramaturg Louise Gough Fabricators Giancarlo Salamanque, Leigh Walker, Carol Jelley (volunteer), Liz Prior (volunteer), Fanaia Novoa (intern).

Producers Dead Pupppet Society, Trish Wadley Productions and Glass Half Full Productions.

Technical Director Scott Barton Company Stage Manager Kat O'Halloran Assistant Stage Manager Savannah Mojidi Head of Lighting Christopher Conway Head Mechanist Alon Jones Sound Engineer/Systems Benn Sargood. Cast Tom Conroy, Anthony Standish, Frances Berry, Jaime Ureta, Barbara Lowing, Liesel Zink, Alex Kaan, Kevin Spink, Morgan Francis (understudy), Billy Fogarty (understudy), Robert Coleby (voicover).

Past collaborators Margi Brown Ash, Lauren Jackson, Thomas Larkin, David Lynch, Jonty Martin, Anna Straker, Melissa Agnew, Jodie Roche-Jones, Sam Maher, Emily Burton, Jen Livingstone, Nicole Neil, Andrew Bridgmont, Marcello Cruz, Bradley Foster, Ian Houghton, Jack Parry-Jones, Matt Tair, Melissa Vaughan, Rory Fairburn, Kim Scopes, Ian Moore, Sophia Dalton, Karen Brown, Ellie Collyer-Bristow, Sebastian Born and Rebecca Brower.

The Wider Earth was originally developed at St. Ann’s Puppet Lab (Matt Acheson and Krissy Smith, Lab Directors) at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn, NY 2014. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body. It is also supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government initiative. Funding for The Wider Earth has also been made possible by the English Family Foundation and Puffin Foundation Ltd. Proudly supported by the Hamer Family Fund, a sub-fund of Australian Communities Foundation.

The Wider Earth is supported by our Technology Supporter, Christie.

Past Productions:

9 July - 7 August 2016 | Queensland Theatre Company
17-27 January 2018 | Sydney Festival, Drama Theatre - Sydney Opera House
2 October 2018 - 24 February 2019 | Natural History Museum, London (with Trish Wadley Productions and Glass Half Full Productions)