Reviews

• Maggie

  Feb 22, 2019

  The stage set was clever but depended on the audience being able to see the set. The front rows were blocked by the high fitting which changes to make the Ship, the rocks etc but also blocked the background scene. Obviously the new from the raked seats at the back.

• Charles and Ema

  Feb 10, 2019

  This was one of the most creative, resourceful and breathtaking plays we have seen. The acting created 3 dimensional characters that you could imagine and it was a joy too see young Darwin portrayed as curious and cheeky. The revolving stage was an ingenius way of portraying different scenes on a small stage without it feeling cramped. The puppetry was fascinating and beautiful Would reccomend it to anyone!!

• Stephen Barnard

  Feb 9, 2019

  A very magical, and ingenious show. Very clever use of a simple set, that revolves and becomes different spaces. The back projections are inspired, and the whole evening a visual delight. Stunning animal and bird puppets, operated by actors who obviously have an affinity with them. A fast moving story with many dimensions, and very well acted with a competent cast. If you want to feel inspired, and uplifted it's definitely a show to see. For me it was enhanced by having a mostly adult audience. A perfect evening. One word of advise.....The tickets that I purchased didn't tell you that the entrance to the theatre is not at the main museum entrance. You may need to allow extra time to find the venue.

• Victoria

  Jan 26, 2019

  I absolutely loved every minute... an amazing experience and beautifully crafted. I don’t want to spoil any part of this for anyone who gets to see the performance so won’t say too much...

• john

  Jan 25, 2019

  excellent

• Duncan

  Jan 20, 2019

  Well acted dramatisation of HMS Beagle with ingenious animal puppetry.

• susan king

  Jan 11, 2019

  Excellant

• PC

  Dec 28, 2018

  Such a clever production, a simple stage set, but what amazing effects! Beautiful puppetry and so thought provoking. We learned so much and have talked about it constantly.

• Erica

  Dec 10, 2018

  It was a treat like no other. We took our family ages ranging from 72 to 8 years. We were all entranced by the setting, the ideas, and the visual effects. Well worth booking.

• Eva

  Dec 9, 2018

  We learnt a lot about Darwin's life. Really original play.

• K

  Dec 1, 2018

  Saw the advert via social media so decided to book tickets. The show was definitely not what we expected. Part screen but mainly acting and amazing puppetry.. Show was 2hrs with interval Our seats had fine view just bring a cushion as not very comfortable.

• Peter from oop North

  Nov 24, 2018

  A brave effort to relate Darwin's epic voyage and discoveries, entranced with romance. Good ensemble playing and wonderful sound and visual effects including remarkable puppetry. But the story-line was somtimes obscure and at other times subsumed to the sound effects and, for me, but not my companion, the "rock" structure was over dominating, hiding the fantastic visuals behind and occasionally reducing the cast to clambering monkeys (or perhaps that was symbolic!). We loved the theatre as a new performance space and look forward to the next presentation.

• George Russell

  Nov 3, 2018

  Remarkable story and great puppetry. Great cast and acting.

• ABC

  Nov 2, 2018

  Seats in front rows are unfortunately not the best as the screen in the back which is used often as backdrop etc. is obscured by the huge moving prop thing in the middle. The puppets weren't too bad but nowhere near as impressive as the horse in The War Horsell but nevertheless a good story well told and acted, making good use of limited number of cast and space on stage.

• Martin Newlan

  Oct 26, 2018

  The Wider Earth is, on the face of it, a serious story about science and Creation and I wondered if we should have taken six and eight year old granddaughters. They loved it! They particularly liked the puppet wildlife and the amazing back projections. It is an inspired and inspiring play about science, and we thought it was marvellous.

• June

  Oct 25, 2018

  Amazing.

• Mimi Ker

  Oct 25, 2018

  We were overwhelmed from the start to the end of the matinee performance. The set designs and animation were amazing coupled with an outstanding performance. Consideration should be given to taking the show abroad as it’s is so well done.

• Kate

  Oct 9, 2018

  I attended this production as I have a great interest in evolution and Darwin's theory. Young Darwin was amazing and drew the audience with his openness to discovery of the natural planet. The puppeteers portraying the new-found species of animals were a refreshing tradition rather than hi-tech computer generated images. The stage set was simple but most effective - especially the ship journeys. Altogether a worthwhile experience.