Theatre – Darwin’s Tortoise / La Tortuga de Darwin
Darwin’s Tortoise / La Tortuga de Darwin
London’s newest theatre is proud to present Darwin’s Tortoise/La Tortuga de Darwin, a 2008 play by Spanish playwright Juan Mayorga, with translation by David Johnston (for English language performances).
One evening a mysterious old woman appears in the office of a history professor, claiming to be the tortoise Charles Darwin brought back from the Galapagos Islands. Through her experiences of living in 20th century Europe, she tells her own version of history…
“Witty, provocative, dark”. Juan Mayorga’s acclaimed 2008 play illuminates superbly the dangers of demagoguery, the abuse of words and the inherent corruptibility of society. A timely production as once again, nationalism becomes the dominant force in world politics
This is the first time the play has been performed in English and in the UK.
Darwin’s Tortoise (La Tortuga de Darwin), a play by the renowned Spanish playwright, Juan Mayorga, which will be presented in both Spanish and in an English translation, by David Johnston. It is directed by the Theatre’s Associate Artistic Director, Paula Paz.
Published in 2008 and premiered at the Abbey Theatre, in Madrid, Mayorga’s play features Harriet, the tortoise that was reputedly collected by Charles Darwin during his 1835 visit to the Galapagos Islands and died – in an Australian zoo – in 2006, at the estimated age of 176. In Mayorga’s play Harriet explains the history of the twentieth century through her experiences of surviving through it, outliving Darwin by more than 125 years.

Performances
Spanish language performances: Monday – Wednesday
English language performances: Thursday – Saturday
Evening performances: Monday-Saturday 7:30pm .
Matinee performances: Wednesday & Saturday: 2:30pm
Tickets
Standard £20.00 + booking fee*
Concession with valid ID.- Age 65 & over £15.00 + booking fee*
Concession with valid ID- Age 25 & Under £15.00 + booking fee*
Concession with valid ID – Student £15.00 + booking fee*
*A booking fee applies of £0.45 + 6% per ticket
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Darwin’s Tortoise / La Tortuga de Darwin
22nd February to 18th March
By Juan Mayorga /Translated by David Johnston /Directed by Paula Paz
The Cervantes Theatre /Arch 26 Old Union Street Arches 229 Union Street London SE1 0LR
Box office: 020 3633 4406 / Box Office Open: Monday to Friday 10:00 to 18:00
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