Alfred Russel Wallace Week 1-5 July 2008

Alfred Russel Wallace came up with the idea of evolution by natural selection at the same time as Charles Darwin. They both had their ideas presented to the Linnaen Society on July 1st 1858.

To celebrate this, the National Botanic Garden of Wales presents a new play, exhibiton and book of poems about the life and work of Usk-born Wallace.

1. Theatr na n’Og and the National Botanical Gardens of Wales present the premier of a new one-man play ‘You Should Ask Wallace’, performed by Ioan Hefin and written and directed by Geinor Styles. This outdoor performance focuses on the aspects of Alfred Russel Wallace’s inspirational character that led him think up the idea of evolution by natural selection.

Venue: Wallace Garden

Running time: 30 minutes

Public performances: Thursday 3rd July at 3pm, Friday 4th at 3pm and Saturday 5th July at12pm, 1.15pmand 3pm. Attendance is freewith the price of admission to the Garden.

2. On July 1stwe will be launching Fred Langford Edward's exhibition on Alfred Russel Wallace. The Forgotten Evolutionist (July 1-July 24) consists of photographs and installations based on the natural history specimens collected by Wallace in the Amazon and the Far East. The exhibition, which is supported by the Wellcome Trust, features photographs of collected specimens, as well as notes and sketches from the detailed notebooks and diaries Wallace (1823-1913) kept while on his travels. There will be an exhibition launch at 2pm during whichAnne Cluysenaar will read from her illustrated poem-sequence Bata-Angas: Envisioning Nature with Afred Russel Wallace (new out from Seren)

Venue: Stables Gallery

For more information, contact Bruce Langridge on 01558 667162 or email interpretation@gardenofwales.org.uk