Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Charles Darwin travelled the world. Now his adventure in Devon is the subject of a radio play.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Devon cast local actors to play the real life characters who shaped the time Charles Darwin spent in Devon.

While waiting for the Beagle to set sail, the naturalist lived in Plymouth for two months during 1831.

Jo Loosemore; the play's producer

His diaries formed an important part of this play first broadcast on Thursday 11 June, 2009.

The play was part of an interactive evening of entertainment on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Devon.

Local actors

Following auditions in March, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Devon cast 11 local actors to recreate the story of Darwin's arrival in Plymouth in 1831, his departure from Devonport two months later, and his return to the county 30 years later.

Darwin's Devon is written by local writer/director Nick Stimson.

The play was commissioned by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Devon as part of national Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ/Arts Council project – Made in England.

"This project is about bringing local stories to life," says Assistant Editor, Sarah Solftley.

"Darwin's story begins in Plymouth and he came back to Torquay, so it was a great chance for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Devon to tell this tale."

The origin

Neil McLachlan plays Darwin when he returns to Devon in 1861, two years after the publication of On The Origin of the Species.

The younger Darwin, about to set sail on the adventure which changed his life, is played by Dave Collings.

The two Darwins are joined by Penny Grove playing Mrs Darwin, Venetia Maitland as their daughter Henrietta,Μύ and Cassie Wiiliamson as their maid Daisy.

While in Torquay, the Darwin family stayed in Hesketh Crescent for eight weeks and one day.

The play also features Kents Cavern archaeologist William Pengelly, played by Andy Barton. One scene was actually recorded in the acoustic of the caves in Torquay.

Victorian marine biologist Philip Gosse, who explored the coasts off Ilfracombe and south Devon, also appears as a character in this new radio drama. He is played by Okehampton-based actor John Palmer.

Nic Early (Captain Fitzroy), Pablo Prieto Serrano (Jemmy Button), William Snow Harris (Steve Grove) and Pete Feehan (Coachman) all join the cast in recreating Darwin's two months in Devonport during 1831.