Evolution of Darwin is focus of ‘Endless Forms Most Wonderful’

It's the bicentennial of Charles Darwin's birth, an opportune moment for the Carpenter Science Theatre Company to produce Douglas Jones' new one-act play, "Endless Forms Most Wonderful."

This two-actor docudrama rushes headlong through the famous naturalist's biography, highlighting his contributions to scientific thinking while presenting humanizing details of his family life.

The company's artistic director, Larry Gard, has made a specialty of bringing important scientists to life for Richmond audiences, and his Darwin is lovable, humble, sentimental and intelligent. As his wife, Emma -- and numerous other briefly captured characters -- Kimberly Jones Clark is a sweet and lively presence; the Darwins had a loving relationship, and they had 10 children.

Jones has packed a huge amount of information into this 50-minute show, which will go over the heads of very young children but provides ample inspiration for older elementary and all secondary students.

We hear of Darwin's early search for a career, his five-year voyage on H.M.S. Beagle, and his extensive study and observation of species. We hear of other thinkers of the era -- Lyell, Malthus, Huxley -- of Darwin's formulation of his theory of evolution, and of the famous "thinking path" he walked at his country home near London.

Jones explains the essence of Darwin's work through the characters, and notes that Darwin's regard for his wife's religious faith may have been part of the reason he waited 30 years before publishing "The Origin of Species" in 1859 -- a book that has never been out of print since. "There is room enough . . . for both faith and science," Darwin says.

The small, lovely set by Terrie Powers Miller enables director Timothy Ireland to vary the action and keep his actors moving, and Lynne M. Hartman provides top-notch lighting. The set is carefully decorated with a wealth of Darwinian bric-a-brac: skulls, books, nature illustrations and antiques. Barbara Brock's period costumes add to the atmosphere, and Ireland's sound design is particularly evocative.

Susan Haubenstock is a Henrico County-based freelance writer and editor. She can be contacted at .