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
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.
Gail Johnson is a Vancouver-based journalist who has earned local and national nominations and awards for her work. She is a certified Gladue Report writer via Indigenous Perspectives Society in partnership with Royal Roads University and is a member of a judging panel for top Vancouver restaurants.
Related Articles
Annual concert at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church features such seasonal staples as “Silent Night” and “Maybe This Christmas”, plus two new arrangements
Seasonal standouts include a massive choral Messiah, and different takes on A Christmas Carol—including one with 10-foot-high puppets
Seasonal favourite sets timeless classics by Robert Pearsall and Morten Lauridsen, plus new works by B.C. composers, to the gentle glow of candles
Annual performance of beloved oratorio features soprano Caitlin Wood, alto Nicholas Burns, tenor Spencer Britten, and bass Jonathon Adams
Canadian alt-pop icon admits the supergroup with Steven Page, Chris Murphy, Moe Berg, and Craig Northey would have seemed unthinkable back in the day
Respected musician plays two shows devoted to India’s oldest-surviving classical genre alongside pakhavaj artist Tejas Tope
Led by Paula DeWit, early-music ensemble Cantare Super Orchestram and a cappella group Belle Voci give the 1742 oratorio fresh style
The neuroscientist, writer, and musician’s conversation with André Picard has musical interludes by Chor Leoni
Program also features Steve Reich’s Jacob’s Ladder with the U.K.’s Synergy Vocals, a Linda Catlin Smith premiere, and John Adams’ Gnarly Buttons
Pianist’s performances of the works have received high praise, including from the composer himself
Presented by Vancouver Recital Society, the Djibouti-born musician brings tremendous vocal feeling to his instrument
New documentary from Belgian filmmaker Johan Grimonprez, a look at the 1961 assassination of Patrice Lumumba, screens directly afterward
More than 100 musicians will be making the journey to Ontario in March 2025
Winter tradition at the Heritage Hall promises enchanting music by pianist Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa and vocalist Amanda Sum
Award-winning violinist to enchant audiences with Stravinsky’s stunning Violin Concerto and two Prokofiev symphonies
Led by Ts’msyen musician Saltwater Hank (aka Jeremy Pahl), group blends rock ’n’ roll elements with ancestral traditions
Twelve-song record layers compelling lyricism with heartfelt harmonies and poignant dissonances
Artist performs tracks from new album alongside Jane Bunnett, Dan Fortin, and Rebekah Wolkstein, with First Nations dancer Sarah Prosper and the NiteCap choir
The musical organization remounts Seasons of the Sea, which features words by Indigenous artist and storyteller Georgeson in a mixed program
Artistic director Kari Turunen programs a concert that honours his home country’s choral traditions, from simple folk to edgy modernism
World-renowned group marks its 27th show with the organization, featuring works by Haydn, Britten, and Beethoven
Singers from the Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs unite with musicians in this annual performance of charming seasonal selections
Part puppet show, part film screening, and part concert, the show lets attendees in on its creation
At Mountain View Cemetery, musica intima and the Vancouver Bach Choir join forces with local brass players to perform a Phrase of Remembrance
On Remembrance Day, composer-in-residence Marie-Claire Saindon contributes new piece that tells of finding light in darkness
Free open house at VIVO Media Arts Centre features live performances by Matthew Ariaratnam, Andromeda Monk, Sapphire Haze, and Anju Singh
Festival co-curated with The Cultch’s Heather Redfern features the workshop premiere of Payette’s musical On Native Land, plus a new choral composition
Performing alongside pakhavaj artist Tejas Tope, Dagar explores the virtuosity of dhrupad, India’s oldest-surviving classical style
White rabbits and Magritte clouds, as Visions Ouest presents film of Orchestre symphonique de Montréal’s epic and affecting multimedia performance
Castalian String Quartet, violist Timothy Ridout, cellist Zlatomir Fung, and pianists Angela Cheng and Benjamin Hochman will perform two concerts in one day at the Vancouver Playhouse