THE WIDER EARTH Opens at the Natural History Museum in One Week

In only one week's time, doors will open to a new 357-seat theatre at the Natural History Museum for the award-winning Darwin drama The Wider Earth. Following sold-out seasons in Brisbane and Sydney, this incredible production, featuring over 30 extraordinary puppets, will have its European premiere at one of the world's most iconic buildings.

In a ground-breaking move for the London arts scene, this is the first time a London museum has ever presented West-End style theatre. This exciting collaboration highlights how the Museum is pushing boundaries, reinventing itself and attracting new audiences.

Trish Wadley Productions, Dead Puppet Society and Glass Half Full Productions have transformed the Jerwood Gallery at the Museum into a traditional proscenium theatre including a revolving stage. Evening audiences will enter the Museum after dark and pass by the cutting-edge Darwin Centre which comprises working scientific laboratories as well as 22 million zoological specimens including those collected by Darwin on his voyage.

Written and directed by Dead Puppet Society's Creative Director David Morton, this visually spectacular production is the coming-of-age story about the rebellious young Darwin who, aged only 22, set out on an adventure of a lifetime on HMS Beagle to the far side of the world. Brought to life by a cast of seven, alongside remarkable puppetry, an original cinematic score, and dazzling animations, The Wider Earth is an extraordinary, award-winning drama about the theory that changed everything.

The Wider Earth was initially conceived in 2013 in Cape Town during a mentorship with Handspring Puppet Company, the creative team behind War Horse. From tiny Gala?pagos finches, to giant tortoises and a fossilised glyptodon, this beautifully intricate production introduces the audience to the tropical wildlife Darwin encountered on his voyage.