Virtuoso Tom Crean show
THE EXTRAORDINARY heroism of Antarctic explorer Tom Crean was brought to life in soul stirring and hilarious detail at St Michael Theatre on Saturday night by actor Aidan Dooley.
Tom Crean (1877-1938) left his Kerry home as a teenager and joined the navy. He travelled the world and became known as an intrepid Antarctic explorer.
Crean was one of the few men to serve with both Scott and Shackleton and survive three famous expeditions: Discovery, (1901 – 1904); Terra Nova (1910 – 1913); and Endurance (1914 – 1916).
His inspiring story proved to be a testament of human fortitude against all the elements of Antarctic,
Dooley (from Galway), layed on a thick Kerry accent for his performance and captured how a man from humble roots in Annascaul, through sheer bravery, has become known by Antarctic historians as the man who achieved ‘the finest feat of individual heroism from the entire age of exploration’.
He saved many mens’ lives through battling -60 degree temperatures, starvation, injury and exhaustion, in the process.
Dooley had the audience in stitches and gripped to the edge of their seats throughout as he dovetailed from continent, to continent, with life and death stories. In a virtuoso performance he described moments of poignancy, sheer terror and humour.
Crean’s 36 mile, solitary trek to base camp during the Terra Nova expedition to rescue his comrades Teddy Evans and William Lashly, armed with only two sticks of chocolate and some biscuits, was one of memorable stories from a unfortgettable night at St Michael’s Theatre in New Ross. THE LAUNCH OF New Ross Pantomime Society’s hilarious production of Beauty and the Beast took place in a packed Ross Inn pub recently.
Running from January 13 to January 20, 2018, the magical tale has been given some comedic twists by Wexford man Thomas O’Leary. Producerr Carmel Rowe is not promising any talking furniture, Disneyland theatrics, but there will be some Disney songs and some funny and wonderful characters to meet.
These include Professor Bertram Horacio Benton and his three daughters Belle, Bettina and Belinda. Billy is a likeable rogue, Baron Barnaby is an enfant terrible and combined with his horrible wife Beatrice The Beast and his servants, many unforgettable charactyers will take to the stafe of St Michael’s Theatre.
Marcel (the butler) Jock and Jessie (a Scottish couple) feature in the show, with Niamh Cullen playing Belle and Keith Flanagan playing The Beast. This show is not to be missed!
The show’s choreographer is Ann Marie Cooney and the musical director is Seamus Power, with set design by Terry Brennan.