`Darwin Down Under'
`Darwin Down Under' A historical comedy play about Charles Darwin in Bathurst, Australia - in 1836
---------------------------------
A 14-minute, historical-comedy animated short film adaptation of the play -
made for the Bathurst Remembers competition:
And - here it is:
(i.e. - It's only animated in PowerPoint, but, South Park
also seems to have gotten away with that, for years...)
----------------------------------
Some screenshots - from the short film
Darwin Down Under (14 mins):
`Old' Charles Darwin - in his Study at Down House, in Kent, England, reminisces about his epic trip to Bathurst...
The good ship HMS Beagle (!)
`Young' Charles Darwin "takes the horizontal" (in his hammock, over his chair) in the Poop Deck of The HMS Beagle, in 1836 - as Captain Robert FitzRoy explains to Charles that they've just arrived in Sydney Cove, Australia.
Charles Darwin narrates his visit to Bathurst, NSW, Australia - in 1836
Also - in the short film, there's even this mad footage of the AMG Event in Bathurst, at the Mount Panorama racetrack, in 2015.
- Check it out! Really-fast cars - going really fast, and, stuff.----------------------------------
A BACKGROUND to THE PLAY (and, the SHORT FILM) - `Darwin Down Under'
So, on the epic five-year voyage of The Beagle (well, actually, during the second of three, all arguably really-quite relatively-epic voyages of The Beagle - but, no matter) in 1836, Charles Darwin not only visited Sydney, Australia, but also - hired "a man and two horses" (i.e., one man per horse) and made an epic trip out West, across the epic Blue Mountains, to see the epic Bathurst, Australia. Among other epic things, he saw a platypus, and an ant-lion.
...I am not making this up.
There is even a epic plaque, in Machattie Park, Bathurst, NSW, to prove it all:
Here is a closer shot of the epic plaque, in case the epic writing on it, is hard to read.
And if the writing is still hard to read, here is the epic text inscribed on it:
“THIS CITY WAS THE OBJECTIVE AND TERMINAL POINT OF THE ONLY INLAND JOURNEY IN AUSTRALIA MADE BY CHARLES DARWIN IN JANUARY 1836 ”
And, here is a wider shot of the plaque in the park.
(Note; The writing in this shot is indeed, very hard to read.)
At the time, in 1836, Bathurst NSW officially had a population of about 75 people, and looked something approximately like this:
Bathurst Plains and Settlement, (1825–28) by Augustus Earle. (Watercolour), Bequeathed by David Scott Mitchell, (1907 - ) to the: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South WalesThere is also an excellent book which includes a lot about Darwin's historic visit to Bathurst:
In talking to the one of the authors of the book (i.e., Charles Darwin in Australia, by Frank and Jan Nicholas, 2009), Frank also reminded me that, the year 2016 will be the 180th anniversary of Charles Darwin's historic visit to Bathurst. ...180 years! Which, is a nice round number. Sort of.
Also, Frank and Jan kindly alerted me to this article:
Charles Darwin Disney film: Adventure movie will give naturalist the Indiana Jones treatment
So, Charles Darwin is about to become an even bigger deal... (when Hollywood makes that film)
Some other great movies about Charles Darwin include: Creation (2009)
And also - the documentaries: (click the links below to view the Trailers)
Darwin's Brave New World (2009) (also includes detail on the Australian / `Bathurst excursion' episode)
and
Darwin's Lost Paradise (2009) [narrated by Sam Neill]
(Both of the above documentaries are in Bathurst Regional Lending Library, on DVD).
And - there are 8 more documentaries about Darwin, here.
Also - Charles Darwin was one of the Bathurst 200, at Bathurst Court House, in 2015 (since, 2015 is the bicentenary of the founding of the European settlement of Bathurst) :
Also, online, is the text of a letter that Darwin wrote from Bathurst, in 1836.
(The actual letter itself is kept in a safe in the Bathurst Historical Society (for safekeeping). Even the Mitchell Library in Sydney, only has a photocopy of it... And by the way, I totally touched the photocopy of the actual letter itself, with my very own hands. So; yeah.)
At any rate, so - if you would like to read the historical comedy play "Darwin Down Under", you can download the 50-page PDF of it, here.
Click to download the play as a PDF (play version, dated: 31st May 2015)
----------------------------------------------------------
And - here is the `Cast of Characters' (i.e. acting roles) from the play:
CHARACTER NAME BRIEF DESCRIPTION AGE GENDER
OLD DARWIN `The Beard'. Balding. British. Toffy. 73 Male
YOUNG DARWIN Spiffy. Toffy. Mutton-chops. 27 Male
CAPTAIN FITZROY Sea-Captainish toff. A Brit. 31 Male
`BLUEY' An Aussie drover in an akubra hat. 20s-50s Male
WOMAN SYDNEYSIDER An Aussie, free settler, pretty bogan. 20s-50s Female
OLD EMMA DARWIN A sweet old grandma. Darwin's wife. 74 Female
WAITRESS A Sydney barmaid, in 1836 30s Female
REAL-ESTATE AGENT Dodgy. A Cockney ex-convict. 20s -50s Male
WINDRADYNE'S WIDOW A local Wiradjuri woman. 30s Female
SYMS COVINGTON Cabin-boy, fiddler, Darwin's servant. 20 Male
----------------------------------------------------------
And - here is a very-brief Synopsis of the play.
--------------------------------
DARWIN DOWN UNDER
SYNOPSIS:
Charles Darwin visits Bathurst, in 1836.
Hilarity ensues, and also - conflicts !
Also: everyone in the play: speaks in rhyme. All the time. (But, it’s a victimless crime.)
---------------------------------And here is one possible design for the main stage-set of the play:
Stage set - [Left] = the Poop Cabin of The Beagle - [Right] = Darwin's Study at Down House, in Kent
So, that's Old Charles Darwin's `Study' in Down House on the right, and the Poop Cabin of The Beagle ship, on the left.
Or two closer views:
Old Charles Darwin's Study - Down HouseAnd - the Poop Cabin of The Beagle , circa 1836:
Stage set design: The Poop Cabin of The Beagle (featuring: Young Darwin)---------------------------------
But - first - before reading the play, I would highly recommend that you read the actual Chapter, about Darwin's epic trip to Bathurst, from his own Diary, which is also online, here.
As, then, you will probably more deeply understand, the historical details of the play.
i.e. Specifically, I recommend, reading these bits of Darwin's Diary: (it's only a few pages, and is actually, quite fascinating - if you like that sort of thing...)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
`The Voyage of the Beagle’, by Charles DarwinChapter XIX - Australia
`Sydney — Excursion to Bathurst — Aspect of the woods — Party of natives — Gradual extinction of the aborigines — Infection generated by associated men in health — Blue Mountains — View of the grand gulf-like valleys — Their origin and formation — Bathurst, general civility of the lower orders — State of society...'
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Or ...You may well even just want to read the play, first.
(Or - you may want to read neither the Chapter from the Diary, nor the play - in which case: do nothing.)
But - either way, Evolution is still, probably: "the greatest single idea that anyone has ever had, in the history of thought." (I forget who said that, but, it's probably true.)
(Also, if of interest, there are lots more great books on Evolution, here.)
Also there is more about Bathurst (including - about Charles Darwin's historic 1836 visit - see the 8 minutes mark in the short movie, below) at:
`RUNAWAY CHAINSAW - in Bathurst' (website)
- Comments, most welcome.
JT Velikovsky
Evolution & Creativity Scholar
&
Transmedia Writer
P.S. - In terms of rhyming narratives about Evolution, one vaguely-related idea (to the play Darwin Down Under) is, this short poem: `Monkeyana' (Punch 1861).
(Side Note: Charles Darwin himself, didn't think much of that squib (`Monkeyana') in Punch magazine... He actually didn't think all that much of Australia, either - but, he came during a drought, after all... Also - he wasn't even that crazy about his own home, `Down House' in Kent: he said it was "ugly, looks neither old nor new". He even thought The Beagle was a very ordinary ship. But, still. Everyone's a critic. What can you do? Answer: If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!)
At any rate, so that's: Darwin Down Under. A historical comedy play.
PPS - As an aside, if you love Charles Darwin (and, his work) as much as I do, then, why not join the Friends of Darwin ? (...It's free!)
PPPS - Also, maybe see the ballad: Charlie Is My Darwin .
-------------------
A PLAY-READING of `DARWIN DOWN UNDER' @ BMEC, BATHURST
A reading of the play took place at BMEC, on 20th July 2015 - thanks to the very generous support and facilitation of Local Stages (BMEC), and Bathurst Theatre Company.
A reading of `Darwin Down Under' @ BMEC, kindly supported by BTC, and the Local Stages program.
(NB - composite photo, which is why it looks a bit wonky, in places...)Many thanks again, to all who attended the reading for such helpful (and encouraging!) feedback and support - and, thanks especially, to Vince & Chris & Kylie, for doing such a stirling job of organizing and co-ordinating the event, (and a special thanks to Lydia - for all the great food! And to Vince for the drinks and for Emceeing the night, and another thanks to Kylie, for the data-projector!).
And - yet another thanks to Lydia - for asking in passing, a few months ago, if I had any spare plays, lying around...(!)
And thanks yet again to Frank and Jan Nicholas, for all their great and generous feedback, support and assistance!
The reading was great fun - and I'm still collating all the great Notes and Feedback and Ideas that came out of it.
So: a triple-thanks, to everyone-! -------------------
Also - there is also, an Online Survey, that you (...anyone!) can take about the play, here.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
The (voluntary, and anonymous) survey takes about 5 to 10 minutes to do.
Please click the image above to open the `ONLINE SURVEY' about the play (and/or, about the reading)-------------------
Also - if you don't already know about it - as mentioned at the reading - there is:The Bathurst 2036 Heritage Action Network...
- A local community action group, formed to protect and promote Bathurst's heritage.
And, it's free to join! - Yay!
Also - as we discussed at the reading, by interesting coincidence (or, very good management - or even, both?) the year 2036 will also be, the Bicentenary of Charles Darwin's historic visit to Bathurst, in 1836...
Charles Darwin Was Here.
The Charles Darwin 1836 Memorial Plaque - in Machattie Park!--------------------
`DARWIN DOWN UNDER - in 1836'
SHORT FILM CREDITS
Written, Directed, Produced & Performed & Animated
by
JT Velikovsky
IMAGES:Photo of Down House, Kent
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
by Mario Modesto
&
Photo of Darwin's Study in Down House, Kentby Mario Modestohttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sal%C3%B3n_Down_House.jpg
Photo of the Poop Deck of the Beagle, adapted from an image by Issy
https://www.blogger.com/profile/06278... http://historycostumetea.blogspot.com...
SOUND FX:http://soundbible.com/1375-Whip-Crack.html
Recorded by snottyboi
http://soundbible.com/1150-Whip.html
Recorded by Mike Koenig
Also:
http://www.soundjay.com/failure-sound...
http://www.soundjay.com/paper-rip-sou...
MUSIC:Piano Concerto no. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 - I. Allegro Maestoso (String Quintet arr.)
performed by Zuzana Šimurdová
https://musopen.org/music/2151/frederic-chopin/piano-concerto-no-1-in-e-minor-op-11/(A Side Note - pianist Emma Darwin, Charles Darwin's beloved wife [and cousin], trained under Frederic Chopin.)
More info on Bathurst, at the following URLS:
Henry Bialowas' book, Ten Dead Men (an excellent history of bushranger Ralf Entwhistle & The Ribbon Gang in Bathurst). Ralf Entwhistle was a famous bushranger, who nobody has heard about. I wrote a historical-comedy play about him, too. It's here: The Abercrombie Zombie (by JT Velikovsky).
Also see Barry Cubitt's great site, about Ralf Entwhistle and The Ribbon Gang, re: the history of Abercrombie Caves near Bathurst. Barry is also an expert on Conrad Martens' paintings.
Also, see the Bathurst Attractions & Activities website. (i.e. The `thumbnail-images' of various Bathurst Attractions are from that site.)
Many thanks also, to Frank & Jan Nicholas, the co-authors of the excellent: Charles Darwin in Australia (2009).
Charles Darwin in Australia (Nicholas F & J, 2008)Thanks also to Bathurst Theatre Company - and the BMEC Local Stages program for the great reading of the play!
Also - a Side Note - This short film about Charles Darwin's visit to Bathurst in 1836 - is a student film, and a parody, and a satire.
See also, the Copyright laws, about Fair Use, for the purpose of parody, and also satire.
For example: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/ct...
And mostly, see this excellent book:
Charles Darwin in Australia (Nicholas F & J, 2008)
Image Acknowledgements & URLs
Some of the following images, many of which are in the public domain (i.e. out of copyright) were used in the short film (and also, digitally altered, for the purpose of satire, and parody.)
`Charles Darwin in 1840'. Watercolour portrait by George Richmond. © The Gallery Collection/Corbis. http://www.corbisimages.com/Search#q=...
`Capt. Robert FitzRoy'. Drawn by Philip Gidley King (Junior). Dated 1838, (but most likely drawn in 1835 or early 1836.) 14 cm × 19.5 cm unmounted.
Reference: ZC767, p. 68. Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales. http://www.acmssearch.sl.nsw.gov.au/s...
`Augustus Earle - Solitude, watching the horizon at sun set, in the hopes of seeing a vessel,' Tristan de Acunha [i.e. da Cunha] in the South Atlantic, nla.pican2818137, National Library of Australia. 17.5 cm × 25.7 cm. http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an2818137
`Harbour Scene Showing Fort Macquarie'. Watercolour by Conrad Martens. Dated 1836. In his Views Mainly of NSW. 48 cm × 32.5 cm (mounted, 58.5 cm × 44.1 cm). Reference: ZDGD8, fo. 5. Dixson Galleries, State Library of New South Wales. http://www.acmssearch.sl.nsw.gov.au/s...
"Bridge Street." Watercolour by Conrad Martens. Signed and dated ‘C. Martens Sydney 1839’ lower right. Title on mount below. 44.8 cm × 64.8 cm. Reference: ZDG V*/SP COLL/MARTENS 7. Dixson Galleries, State Library of New
South Wales.
http://www.acmssearch.sl.nsw.gov.au/s...
Gardner’s Inn. Photograph in the possession of Tom Bennet, 1963.
Reference: SPF/Blackheath – Hotels – Gardiners Inn. Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales.
`New South Wales Rat Kangaroo'. From Gould, J., The Mammals of Australia (published by the author, London, 1845–1863), vol. II, plate 67. Courtesy of Hank Ebes. http://www.aboriginalartdirectory.com...
`Cox’s River'. Watercolour by Conrad Martens. Late 1830s. Current owner/location unknown.
`Platypus'. From Gould, J., The Mammals of Australia (published by the author, London, 1845–1863), vol. I, plate 1. Courtesy of Hank Ebes. http://www.aboriginalartdirectory.com...
"Photograph of Ant-lion pits. Courtesy of Densey Clyne."
"Typical larva of Myrmeleontidae, the dominant family of lacewings.'
Photograph courtesy of Dr G. Holloway."
"Holy Trinity Church, Kelso, as it appeared in the 1890s.' Photograph from Burton, B., Fields, E., Neumann, D. and White, S., Holy Trinity Church, Kelso, 1835: An Historical Analysis (University of NSW, Studies of Historical Buildings, unpublished report). Reference: PXD267, fig. 8. Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales."
Photograph of Charles Darwin, aged approx. 71, taken by Elliott and Fry, on the verandah at Down House, c. 1880. Reproduced by kind permission of Syndics of Cambridge University Library. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrai...
Conrad Martens, [Sydney Harbour], nla.pic-an2390645, National Library of Australia. http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/47...
Sincere thanks to Frank and Jan Nicholas (the authors and researchers of the excellent book, Charles Darwin in Australia, 2008) for the above information, regarding the Image Acknowledgements.
Also re; the painting of the Beagle, the credit is: `HMS Beagle in the Galapagos' by John Chancellor.
The credit re: the image of the painting of Bathurst is `The Bathurst Settlement' (circa 1836) by Augustus Earle.
Then there is the painting `The Plains, Bathurst - 1815' – by John Lewin.
Then there is `River Bank, Bathurst' – by John Lewin.
Then there is an image of `Macquarie River' - by John Lewin.
Also, re: the image of Windradyne, the credit for that image is: "A Native Chief of Bathurst" by John Lewin (Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales). But, see this web page. Maybe, that isn't even a portrait of Windradyne, (...Who knows. We may never know.)
----------------------------
The full play of Darwin Down Under can be downloaded as a PDF, at the link above (ie see, the image of the front-cover / title-page of the play).
--------------------
And - Thanks for reading-!
- JT Velikovsky
Consilient BioCulture Researcher (in Science & The Arts)
---------------------------------
A 14-minute, historical-comedy animated short film adaptation of the play -
made for the Bathurst Remembers competition:
And - here it is:
(i.e. - It's only animated in PowerPoint, but, South Park
also seems to have gotten away with that, for years...)
----------------------------------
Some screenshots - from the short film
Darwin Down Under (14 mins):
`Old' Charles Darwin - in his Study at Down House, in Kent, England, reminisces about his epic trip to Bathurst...
The good ship HMS Beagle (!)
`Young' Charles Darwin "takes the horizontal" (in his hammock, over his chair) in the Poop Deck of The HMS Beagle, in 1836 - as Captain Robert FitzRoy explains to Charles that they've just arrived in Sydney Cove, Australia.
Charles Darwin narrates his visit to Bathurst, NSW, Australia - in 1836
Also - in the short film, there's even this mad footage of the AMG Event in Bathurst, at the Mount Panorama racetrack, in 2015.- Check it out! Really-fast cars - going really fast, and, stuff.----------------------------------
A BACKGROUND to THE PLAY (and, the SHORT FILM) - `Darwin Down Under'
So, on the epic five-year voyage of The Beagle (well, actually, during the second of three, all arguably really-quite relatively-epic voyages of The Beagle - but, no matter) in 1836, Charles Darwin not only visited Sydney, Australia, but also - hired "a man and two horses" (i.e., one man per horse) and made an epic trip out West, across the epic Blue Mountains, to see the epic Bathurst, Australia. Among other epic things, he saw a platypus, and an ant-lion.
...I am not making this up.
There is even a epic plaque, in Machattie Park, Bathurst, NSW, to prove it all:
Here is a closer shot of the epic plaque, in case the epic writing on it, is hard to read.
And if the writing is still hard to read, here is the epic text inscribed on it:
“THIS CITY WAS THE OBJECTIVE AND TERMINAL POINT OF THE ONLY INLAND JOURNEY IN AUSTRALIA MADE BY CHARLES DARWIN IN JANUARY 1836 ”
And, here is a wider shot of the plaque in the park.
(Note; The writing in this shot is indeed, very hard to read.)
At the time, in 1836, Bathurst NSW officially had a population of about 75 people, and looked something approximately like this:
Bathurst Plains and Settlement, (1825–28) by Augustus Earle. (Watercolour), Bequeathed by David Scott Mitchell, (1907 - ) to the: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South WalesThere is also an excellent book which includes a lot about Darwin's historic visit to Bathurst:
In talking to the one of the authors of the book (i.e., Charles Darwin in Australia, by Frank and Jan Nicholas, 2009), Frank also reminded me that, the year 2016 will be the 180th anniversary of Charles Darwin's historic visit to Bathurst. ...180 years! Which, is a nice round number. Sort of.Also, Frank and Jan kindly alerted me to this article:
Charles Darwin Disney film: Adventure movie will give naturalist the Indiana Jones treatment
So, Charles Darwin is about to become an even bigger deal... (when Hollywood makes that film)
Some other great movies about Charles Darwin include: Creation (2009)
And also - the documentaries: (click the links below to view the Trailers)
Darwin's Brave New World (2009) (also includes detail on the Australian / `Bathurst excursion' episode)
and
Darwin's Lost Paradise (2009) [narrated by Sam Neill]
(Both of the above documentaries are in Bathurst Regional Lending Library, on DVD).
And - there are 8 more documentaries about Darwin, here.
Also - Charles Darwin was one of the Bathurst 200, at Bathurst Court House, in 2015 (since, 2015 is the bicentenary of the founding of the European settlement of Bathurst) :
Also, online, is the text of a letter that Darwin wrote from Bathurst, in 1836.
(The actual letter itself is kept in a safe in the Bathurst Historical Society (for safekeeping). Even the Mitchell Library in Sydney, only has a photocopy of it... And by the way, I totally touched the photocopy of the actual letter itself, with my very own hands. So; yeah.)
At any rate, so - if you would like to read the historical comedy play "Darwin Down Under", you can download the 50-page PDF of it, here.
Click to download the play as a PDF (play version, dated: 31st May 2015)----------------------------------------------------------
And - here is the `Cast of Characters' (i.e. acting roles) from the play:
CHARACTER NAME BRIEF DESCRIPTION AGE GENDER
OLD DARWIN `The Beard'. Balding. British. Toffy. 73 Male
YOUNG DARWIN Spiffy. Toffy. Mutton-chops. 27 Male
CAPTAIN FITZROY Sea-Captainish toff. A Brit. 31 Male
`BLUEY' An Aussie drover in an akubra hat. 20s-50s Male
WOMAN SYDNEYSIDER An Aussie, free settler, pretty bogan. 20s-50s Female
OLD EMMA DARWIN A sweet old grandma. Darwin's wife. 74 Female
WAITRESS A Sydney barmaid, in 1836 30s Female
REAL-ESTATE AGENT Dodgy. A Cockney ex-convict. 20s -50s Male
WINDRADYNE'S WIDOW A local Wiradjuri woman. 30s Female
SYMS COVINGTON Cabin-boy, fiddler, Darwin's servant. 20 Male
----------------------------------------------------------
And - here is a very-brief Synopsis of the play.
--------------------------------
DARWIN DOWN UNDER
SYNOPSIS:
Charles Darwin visits Bathurst, in 1836.
Hilarity ensues, and also - conflicts !
Also: everyone in the play: speaks in rhyme. All the time. (But, it’s a victimless crime.)
---------------------------------And here is one possible design for the main stage-set of the play:
Stage set - [Left] = the Poop Cabin of The Beagle - [Right] = Darwin's Study at Down House, in KentSo, that's Old Charles Darwin's `Study' in Down House on the right, and the Poop Cabin of The Beagle ship, on the left.
Or two closer views:
Old Charles Darwin's Study - Down HouseAnd - the Poop Cabin of The Beagle , circa 1836:
Stage set design: The Poop Cabin of The Beagle (featuring: Young Darwin)---------------------------------But - first - before reading the play, I would highly recommend that you read the actual Chapter, about Darwin's epic trip to Bathurst, from his own Diary, which is also online, here.
As, then, you will probably more deeply understand, the historical details of the play.
i.e. Specifically, I recommend, reading these bits of Darwin's Diary: (it's only a few pages, and is actually, quite fascinating - if you like that sort of thing...)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
`The Voyage of the Beagle’, by Charles DarwinChapter XIX - Australia
`Sydney — Excursion to Bathurst — Aspect of the woods — Party of natives — Gradual extinction of the aborigines — Infection generated by associated men in health — Blue Mountains — View of the grand gulf-like valleys — Their origin and formation — Bathurst, general civility of the lower orders — State of society...'
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Or ...You may well even just want to read the play, first.
(Or - you may want to read neither the Chapter from the Diary, nor the play - in which case: do nothing.)
But - either way, Evolution is still, probably: "the greatest single idea that anyone has ever had, in the history of thought." (I forget who said that, but, it's probably true.)
(Also, if of interest, there are lots more great books on Evolution, here.)
Also there is more about Bathurst (including - about Charles Darwin's historic 1836 visit - see the 8 minutes mark in the short movie, below) at:
`RUNAWAY CHAINSAW - in Bathurst' (website)
- Comments, most welcome.
JT Velikovsky
Evolution & Creativity Scholar
&
Transmedia Writer
P.S. - In terms of rhyming narratives about Evolution, one vaguely-related idea (to the play Darwin Down Under) is, this short poem: `Monkeyana' (Punch 1861).
(Side Note: Charles Darwin himself, didn't think much of that squib (`Monkeyana') in Punch magazine... He actually didn't think all that much of Australia, either - but, he came during a drought, after all... Also - he wasn't even that crazy about his own home, `Down House' in Kent: he said it was "ugly, looks neither old nor new". He even thought The Beagle was a very ordinary ship. But, still. Everyone's a critic. What can you do? Answer: If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!)
At any rate, so that's: Darwin Down Under. A historical comedy play.
PPS - As an aside, if you love Charles Darwin (and, his work) as much as I do, then, why not join the Friends of Darwin ? (...It's free!)
PPPS - Also, maybe see the ballad: Charlie Is My Darwin .
-------------------
A PLAY-READING of `DARWIN DOWN UNDER' @ BMEC, BATHURST
A reading of the play took place at BMEC, on 20th July 2015 - thanks to the very generous support and facilitation of Local Stages (BMEC), and Bathurst Theatre Company.
A reading of `Darwin Down Under' @ BMEC, kindly supported by BTC, and the Local Stages program.(NB - composite photo, which is why it looks a bit wonky, in places...)Many thanks again, to all who attended the reading for such helpful (and encouraging!) feedback and support - and, thanks especially, to Vince & Chris & Kylie, for doing such a stirling job of organizing and co-ordinating the event, (and a special thanks to Lydia - for all the great food! And to Vince for the drinks and for Emceeing the night, and another thanks to Kylie, for the data-projector!).
And - yet another thanks to Lydia - for asking in passing, a few months ago, if I had any spare plays, lying around...(!)
And thanks yet again to Frank and Jan Nicholas, for all their great and generous feedback, support and assistance!
The reading was great fun - and I'm still collating all the great Notes and Feedback and Ideas that came out of it.
So: a triple-thanks, to everyone-! -------------------
Also - there is also, an Online Survey, that you (...anyone!) can take about the play, here.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
The (voluntary, and anonymous) survey takes about 5 to 10 minutes to do.
Please click the image above to open the `ONLINE SURVEY' about the play (and/or, about the reading)-------------------Also - if you don't already know about it - as mentioned at the reading - there is:The Bathurst 2036 Heritage Action Network...
- A local community action group, formed to protect and promote Bathurst's heritage.
And, it's free to join! - Yay!
Also - as we discussed at the reading, by interesting coincidence (or, very good management - or even, both?) the year 2036 will also be, the Bicentenary of Charles Darwin's historic visit to Bathurst, in 1836...
Charles Darwin Was Here.
The Charles Darwin 1836 Memorial Plaque - in Machattie Park!--------------------`DARWIN DOWN UNDER - in 1836'
SHORT FILM CREDITS
Written, Directed, Produced & Performed & Animated
by
JT Velikovsky
IMAGES:Photo of Down House, Kent
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
by Mario Modesto
&
Photo of Darwin's Study in Down House, Kentby Mario Modestohttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sal%C3%B3n_Down_House.jpg
Photo of the Poop Deck of the Beagle, adapted from an image by Issy
https://www.blogger.com/profile/06278... http://historycostumetea.blogspot.com...
SOUND FX:http://soundbible.com/1375-Whip-Crack.html
Recorded by snottyboi
http://soundbible.com/1150-Whip.html
Recorded by Mike Koenig
Also:
http://www.soundjay.com/failure-sound...
http://www.soundjay.com/paper-rip-sou...
MUSIC:Piano Concerto no. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 - I. Allegro Maestoso (String Quintet arr.)
performed by Zuzana Šimurdová
https://musopen.org/music/2151/frederic-chopin/piano-concerto-no-1-in-e-minor-op-11/(A Side Note - pianist Emma Darwin, Charles Darwin's beloved wife [and cousin], trained under Frederic Chopin.)
More info on Bathurst, at the following URLS:
Henry Bialowas' book, Ten Dead Men (an excellent history of bushranger Ralf Entwhistle & The Ribbon Gang in Bathurst). Ralf Entwhistle was a famous bushranger, who nobody has heard about. I wrote a historical-comedy play about him, too. It's here: The Abercrombie Zombie (by JT Velikovsky).
Also see Barry Cubitt's great site, about Ralf Entwhistle and The Ribbon Gang, re: the history of Abercrombie Caves near Bathurst. Barry is also an expert on Conrad Martens' paintings.
Also, see the Bathurst Attractions & Activities website. (i.e. The `thumbnail-images' of various Bathurst Attractions are from that site.)
Many thanks also, to Frank & Jan Nicholas, the co-authors of the excellent: Charles Darwin in Australia (2009).
Charles Darwin in Australia (Nicholas F & J, 2008)Thanks also to Bathurst Theatre Company - and the BMEC Local Stages program for the great reading of the play! Also - a Side Note - This short film about Charles Darwin's visit to Bathurst in 1836 - is a student film, and a parody, and a satire.
See also, the Copyright laws, about Fair Use, for the purpose of parody, and also satire.
For example: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/ct...
And mostly, see this excellent book:
Charles Darwin in Australia (Nicholas F & J, 2008)
Image Acknowledgements & URLs
Some of the following images, many of which are in the public domain (i.e. out of copyright) were used in the short film (and also, digitally altered, for the purpose of satire, and parody.)
`Charles Darwin in 1840'. Watercolour portrait by George Richmond. © The Gallery Collection/Corbis. http://www.corbisimages.com/Search#q=...
`Capt. Robert FitzRoy'. Drawn by Philip Gidley King (Junior). Dated 1838, (but most likely drawn in 1835 or early 1836.) 14 cm × 19.5 cm unmounted.
Reference: ZC767, p. 68. Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales. http://www.acmssearch.sl.nsw.gov.au/s...
`Augustus Earle - Solitude, watching the horizon at sun set, in the hopes of seeing a vessel,' Tristan de Acunha [i.e. da Cunha] in the South Atlantic, nla.pican2818137, National Library of Australia. 17.5 cm × 25.7 cm. http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an2818137
`Harbour Scene Showing Fort Macquarie'. Watercolour by Conrad Martens. Dated 1836. In his Views Mainly of NSW. 48 cm × 32.5 cm (mounted, 58.5 cm × 44.1 cm). Reference: ZDGD8, fo. 5. Dixson Galleries, State Library of New South Wales. http://www.acmssearch.sl.nsw.gov.au/s...
"Bridge Street." Watercolour by Conrad Martens. Signed and dated ‘C. Martens Sydney 1839’ lower right. Title on mount below. 44.8 cm × 64.8 cm. Reference: ZDG V*/SP COLL/MARTENS 7. Dixson Galleries, State Library of New
South Wales.
http://www.acmssearch.sl.nsw.gov.au/s...
Gardner’s Inn. Photograph in the possession of Tom Bennet, 1963.
Reference: SPF/Blackheath – Hotels – Gardiners Inn. Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales.
`New South Wales Rat Kangaroo'. From Gould, J., The Mammals of Australia (published by the author, London, 1845–1863), vol. II, plate 67. Courtesy of Hank Ebes. http://www.aboriginalartdirectory.com...
`Cox’s River'. Watercolour by Conrad Martens. Late 1830s. Current owner/location unknown.
`Platypus'. From Gould, J., The Mammals of Australia (published by the author, London, 1845–1863), vol. I, plate 1. Courtesy of Hank Ebes. http://www.aboriginalartdirectory.com...
"Photograph of Ant-lion pits. Courtesy of Densey Clyne."
"Typical larva of Myrmeleontidae, the dominant family of lacewings.'
Photograph courtesy of Dr G. Holloway."
"Holy Trinity Church, Kelso, as it appeared in the 1890s.' Photograph from Burton, B., Fields, E., Neumann, D. and White, S., Holy Trinity Church, Kelso, 1835: An Historical Analysis (University of NSW, Studies of Historical Buildings, unpublished report). Reference: PXD267, fig. 8. Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales."
Photograph of Charles Darwin, aged approx. 71, taken by Elliott and Fry, on the verandah at Down House, c. 1880. Reproduced by kind permission of Syndics of Cambridge University Library. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrai...
Conrad Martens, [Sydney Harbour], nla.pic-an2390645, National Library of Australia. http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/47...
Sincere thanks to Frank and Jan Nicholas (the authors and researchers of the excellent book, Charles Darwin in Australia, 2008) for the above information, regarding the Image Acknowledgements.
Also re; the painting of the Beagle, the credit is: `HMS Beagle in the Galapagos' by John Chancellor.
The credit re: the image of the painting of Bathurst is `The Bathurst Settlement' (circa 1836) by Augustus Earle.
Then there is the painting `The Plains, Bathurst - 1815' – by John Lewin.
Then there is `River Bank, Bathurst' – by John Lewin.
Then there is an image of `Macquarie River' - by John Lewin.
Also, re: the image of Windradyne, the credit for that image is: "A Native Chief of Bathurst" by John Lewin (Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales). But, see this web page. Maybe, that isn't even a portrait of Windradyne, (...Who knows. We may never know.)
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The full play of Darwin Down Under can be downloaded as a PDF, at the link above (ie see, the image of the front-cover / title-page of the play).
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And - Thanks for reading-!
- JT Velikovsky
Consilient BioCulture Researcher (in Science & The Arts)
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