Ancient Footprints and Richard III Production

Ancient Human Speed

• Aboriginal girl, Mary Pappen Jr., discovered 20,000-year-old footprints in Mungo National Park, Australia.
• Analysis of 700 footprints revealed insights into the lives of ancient hunters, including children and groups.
• One hunter's speed was calculated at 37 km/hour by biological archaeologist Steve Webb.
• This speed rivals Usain Bolt's world record of 37.6 km/hour.

Richard III Theatre Production

• The Globe Theatre in London staged a new production of Shakespeare's Richard III in 2024.
• The production cast a woman, Artistic Director Michelle Terry, in the title role.
• Controversy arose not over gender, but over the actress's lack of scoliosis, a spinal curvature Richard III had.
• Shakespeare's play depicts Richard III as "unfinished," "deformed," and "unfashionable," often prompting casting of disabled actors.
• Michelle Terry stated she would not alter her physicality to portray Richard III's disability. The production clarifies its interpretive lens.

Ancient Footprints in Australia

• Discovery of 20,000-year-old footprints in Mungo National Park, New South Wales, Australia by Mary Pappen Jr. in 2003.
• Footprints belonged to hunters, including children and groups.
• Analysis of 700 footprints reveals insights into the lifestyle of these ancient people.
• One hunter's speed is calculated at 37 km/hour by biological archaeologist Steve Webb.
• This speed rivals Usain Bolt's world record speed of 37.6 km/hour.

Richard III at the Globe Theatre

• A new production of Shakespeare's Richard III at the Globe Theatre in London in 2024.
• Artistic Director Michelle Terry plays the title role.
• Controversy arises from Terry's decision not to portray Richard III's historical scoliosis (curvature of the spine).
• The play's opening soliloquy highlights Richard III's self-perception as "deformed" and "unfashionable."
• The casting of an able-bodied actor for the role sparks debate over the necessity of shared lived experiences between actor and character.

Ancient Hunter's Speed

• Discovery of 20,000-year-old footprints in Mungo National Park, Australia.
• Footprints belonged to hunters, including children and families.
• Analysis suggests one hunter ran at 37 km/hour, comparable to Usain Bolt's record.
• Footprints provide insights into the physical capabilities and survival strategies of ancient humans.

Richard III Stage Production

• Globe Theatre's 2024 production of Shakespeare's Richard III features a woman in the title role.
• Controversy arises due to the casting of an able-bodied actress for a character historically known to have scoliosis.
• Shakespeare's play depicts Richard III's self-perception as deformed and unfashionable.
• The director defends the casting choice, stating the production will not alter the actress's physicality to depict scoliosis, framing the interpretation differently.
• The production sparks debate regarding the extent to which actors need to share lived experiences with their characters.