Tony and I went to the Olympia Theatre the other night to see 'Tom Crean - Antarctic Explorer'. It was absolutely brilliant. It's a one man show - Aidan Dooley - and it recounts the adventures of Tom Crean from his life in Kerry, to joining the British Navy, which led him to his 3 expeditions with Scott and Shackleton. It is hilarious and poignant and sad and wonderful all the time. The stories and adventures are recounted so brilliantly that it seems completely effortless on Aidan Dooley's part, almost as if the man himself is telling it just like it was, for the very first time. The humour in it is totally unexpected and the way he addresses the audience is so surprising and engaging.
Well done to Aidan Dooley, incredible performance. The Olympia looks beautiful too. We must get out more often. I took some photos before and after the show but will add them later.
This is from Frank the Monkeys Entertainment Guide:
Written and performed by Dooley the story, a testament of human fortitude against all the elements of Antarctica, is brought to life in this dramatic solo performance. Crean’s thirty-six mile solitary trek to base camp during the Terra Nova expedition to rescue his comrades Teddy Evans and William Lashly; has been described by Antarctic historians as the “the finest feat of individual heroism from the entire age of exploration”. He was subsequently awarded the Albert Medal for his bravery.
3 comments:
Greetings from a Cork that hasn't yet decided whether it'll resume raining...
Good to start reading your blog. I too loved this solo performance. Saw it at the Everyman in Cork recently. Especially the second half.
I'd never heard of Tom Crean because I didn't read any of the book that came out celebrating Shackleton's centenery. But I saw the two part docudrama the BBC did and was v impressed with Shackleton's leadership ability. What a story, eh! A few men in a rowing boat surviving an extraordinary row across fierce seas. What a write, eh! For a man who was an employee in the museum education sector to achieve a sell out show, which runs at v low costs - may he grow rich on the proceeds.
Thanks for highlighting the show. You've brought back fond memories. As you say, this is worth experiencing.
Hi Omani
The show is coming back to the Olympia in June so have bought tickets for some friends as a 'thank you' present for helping me with something. Aidan Dooley is incredible! Like you said I hope he gets rich!
I find that a lot of the spirit of adventure that occured in the past has been lost for health and Safety reasons. If I read accounts of people who travelled to the Moon, for example, and all the things that went wrong and could have gone wrong, we would never have sent them in this era because of all the unknowns. Not that there's anything wrong with that! I work in Construction so am conscious that no-one should have to die for their job! When I read Andrew Smith's 'Moondust' I think he hit the nail on the head when he describes the 60's and what it was like and why that was the era for serious Space Exploration. Have you heard of it? It's about him trying to find and interview the 9 remaining men who have walked on the moon (12 in total). I loved it and the content isn't what I was expecting at all.
Anyway I'm waffling on now. Good luck with the awards and the electioneering!
The show was on for one night in Annascaul's connor/crean centre. Great performance!
For Tom Crean enthusiasts there's a page on this website with an original song about Tom sang by his shipmates in 1918! http://www.annascaul.net/tom-crean-tributes.php
Well worth a look, it's a real gem.
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