Special broadcast of 'The Mysterious Secrets of Uncle Bertie's Botanarium' at the 2014 AGM

Illustration by one of the project's creators, Stephen Templer. 

After the 2014 AGM there will be a special broadcast of 'The Mysteroius Secrets of Uncle Bertie's Botanarium', a radio play loosely based on Joseph Banks' first voyage.

Date - Tuesday 14 October at the Wellington Botanic Gardens
Venue - Begonia House (adjacent to the Lady Norwood Rose Garden) commencing at 6.00 p.m. After the AGM and the presentation of the awards, there will be a special broadcast of the “The Mysterious Secrets of Uncle Bertie’s Botaniarium” followed by drinks and nibbles.

If you are interested in attending this event please RSVP to: [email protected]

Review of “The Mysterious Secrets of Uncle Bertie’s Botaniarium" by Jesse Bythell

"Have you ever wondered what it is that drove Joseph Banks to set forth on his voyages of botanical discovery? Well one talented trio of New Zealand artists have taken the liberty of imagining an alternate history which answers that very question. “The Mysterious Secrets of Uncle Bertie’s Botanarium” is a collaborative project created by Duncan Sarkies, Stephen Templer and James Milne.

The initial offering takes the form of a radio play which enthusiastically lampoons the prudish attitudes towards ‘scienta amabilis’ prevalent during the eighteenth century. Undeterred by the derision of fellow scientists, Banks is inspired by a remarkable discovery and sets of off on a quest to find his long lost Uncle Bertie.

The production values of this radio play are top notch, with excellent Foley work and music. Banks is performed by Jemaine Clement, well known from the comedy duo ‘Flight of the Conchords’ and the recently successful film ‘What We Do in the Shadows’. James Milne’s (aka Lawrence Arabia) long-suffering Solander is a delightful foil to Banks's self-absorbed genius.

I had the pleasure of listening to a private broadcast of this play in May and thoroughly enjoyed each minute. I came away with aching muscles from laughing so much and a renewed sense of pride in being a member of the fiercely curious and slightly mad tribe of botanists."