In July 2016, the world premiere of 'The Wider Earth', a Queensland Theatre Company and Dead Puppet Society co-production, will be a highlight in QTC's 2016 season.

This new Australian work, originally developed with St Ann's Warehouse in New York, is still evolving into the spectacle that will play in the Bille Brown Studio. We want you to join the conversation about it's future - can it deliver a new experience to regional audiences? What shape could this take?

With a bevy of astonishing puppets bringing to life creatures great and small – from the tiniest longhorn beetle to the majestic southern right whale and the ancient Galapagos tortoise – Dead Puppet Society reimagines the tale of scientific visionary Charles Darwin and his voyage on the HMS Beagle in 'The Wider Earth'. Come aboard for a magical journey with the curious naturalist, from the dizzying heights of the Andes to the depths of the Amazon rainforest, through the storms of Tierra del Fuego, to the endless wonders of the Galapagos Islands. It’s a coming-of-age story about science and faith – and how one doubting young man with a questing heart asked a question of Mother Nature, and found the answer to everything.

Venue Format
Theatre, Black Box Venue
Considerations

Dead Puppet Society is Queensland’s premiere visual theatre company based between Brisbane and New York City. They are currently in residence at The New Victory Theater to develop Laser Beak Man (2014-2016). They are also the company in residence at Queensland Theatre Company where they are creating The Wider Earth (2014-2016), initially developed at St. Ann’s Warehouse (2013/2014). Prior to this, the Society worked with Handspring Puppet Company (War Horse) in South Africa who assisted with the creation of Argus (National Tour 2015/Brisbane Powerhouse 2013). Previous works include The Harbinger (La Boite Indie 2011/La Boite Theatre Company 2012/National Tour with Critical Stages 2014), The Timely Death of Victor Blott (Metro Arts 2010) and Little Grey Wolf (Brisbane Festival’s Under the Radar program 2009/The Garden of Unearthly Delights at Adelaide Fringe 2010). The Society has received several awards from The Jim Henson Foundation for the creation of new work.

Queensland Theatre Company (QTC) is a nationally recognised company. Founded in 1970, it is the state’s flagship professional theatre company, offering an annual main house season of seven - nine plays at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), and a season of new works and creative developments in the Bille Brown and Diane Cilento Studios at The GreenHouse located at QTC in South Brisbane.

Since its inception QTC has had active regional and education programs, which are considered to be some of most extensive and successful of any theatre company in Australia. This includes touring productions, introducing young people and regional audiences to high quality live performance in their own communities and giving them opportunities to actively participate.

In 2015, QTC completed five touring projects, traveling across regional Queensland and through out the country. In 2016 and beyond, QTC's aims to excite regional audiences, by delivering extraordinary theatre experiences into smaller communities through the development of innovative touring models.

Company Website
queenslandtheatre.com.au

Unique Selling Point

An original score, co-created by Melbourne-based songwriter/composer Lior and arranger Tony Buchen, will support the visual story telling in this work. Lior is one of Australia’s most successful singer-songwriters, renowned for his beautiful voice and songs which radiate truth and sincerity. Nominated for five ARIA's including Best Male Artist, Triple J’s prestigious ‘J Award’ nomination for album of the year and Best Independent Release, Lior has also composed for television, winning Best Original Song Composed for the Screen for Giggle and Hoot at the 2012 APRA Screen Music Awards. 'The Wider Earth' represents his first foray into composition for theatre.

Marketing Materials

Creative Team Writer, Director & Designer: David Morton Creative Producer: Nicholas Paine Composers: Lior and Tony Buchen Lighting Designer: David Walters Sound Designer: Tony Brumpton Illustrator (Animation): Anna Straker Dramaturg: Louise Gough Cast includes: Margi Brown Ash, Tom Conroy, Lauren Jackson, Thomas Larkin, Anna Straker.