Life of intrepid explorer brought to life in Tom Crean—Discovering Antarctica, November 7 to 24

Subtitled Heroic Tales of Scott, Crean & Shackleton, the solo show by Aidan Dooley has won some major awards

By Gail Johnson

Tom Crean—Discovering Antarctica: Heroic Tales of Scott, Crean & Shackleton.

Western Gold Theatre in association with CelticFest Vancouver presents the Play on Words Theatre production of Tom Crean—Discovering Antarctica: Heroic Tales of Scott, Crean & Shackleton at PAL Studio Theatre from November 7 to 24

IT WOULD BE remiss to draw up a history of Antarctic exploration without mentioning the efforts of a certain Tom Crean.

The late Irishman is something of an unsung hero, having figured prominently in three of the four major British expeditions to the Antarctic over a century ago: Discovery (1901 to 1904); Terra Nova (1910 to 1913); and Endurance (1914 to 1916). He spent more time in the bracing, inhospitable conditions of the region than Sir Ernest Shackleton or Captain Robert Scott and outlived them both. He took on a treacherous hike during the Terra Nova expedition to save two of his companions, one of whom had collapsed 35 miles away; all he had for food were two pieces of chocolate and three biscuits. His solo trek took 18 hours and later earned him the Albert Medal for Lifesaving; historians described his journey as “the finest feat of individual heroism from the entire age of exploration”.

Now, the life and times of Crean are being brought to the stage in Aidan Dooley’s Tom Crean—Discovering Antarctica: Heroic Tales of Scott, Crean & Shackleton. Dooley wrote and performs the solo work, which has played to sold-out performances throughout Ireland, the U.S., Australia, Europe, and the U.K. The Play on Words Theatre production comes to Western Gold Theatre, in association with CelticFest Vancouver, from November 7 to 24.

The show has racked up several awards, including Fringe First Award Winner at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2006; Best Solo Performance Award Winner at the New York International Fringe Festival in 2003; and a Best Actor nomination at the Dublin Fringe Festival in 2003, to name just a few. 

---

Related Articles