CHERRY AND THE OX
by JT CHAVEZ

‘Animals should be shot with the camera not the gun.’

Enter the surreal, comical and poignant world of naturalists Richard (Mark Butt) and Cherry Kearton (Nick Pearse). Set in 1901 this is the time of fin de siècle with science and natural history entering a period of enlightened change, while society is firmly rooted in tradition.

This is a story about two brothers whose passion for wildlife and photography freed them from the shackles of their class and propelled them into a life less ordinary subsequently becoming an inspiration to those that followed and ultimately changing how human’s perceive the natural world.

We join the Kearton Brother’s in their ingenious hides (culminating in a stuffed Ox) as they discuss the world, the theories of Darwin, the British Empire and the science of photography along with their rise from humble Yorkshire gamekeeper’s sons to published authors and acclaimed photographers.

Script written & devised by JT Chavez - especially for the Chorlton Arts Festival 2016, a responsive bespoke version is planned to tour several art institutes (tbc) across the UK next year.