A marvellous journey

I had never been to a one-man show before and I have to admit I wondered how one actor, on his own, could command my attention for the best part of two hours. I need not have worried because Aidan Dooley’s performance of the self-penned “Tom Crean – Antarctic Explorer” was such a tour de force that when the play ended I felt I myself had been on the voyages with Crean, Shackleton, and Scott.

The play recalled the life and adventures of Tom Crean who was a Kerryman born in 1877. He joined the Royal Navy at age 15 and was the only man to serve with Scott and Shackleton on three famous expeditions, Discovery (1901-1904), Terra Nova (1910-1913), and Endurance (1914-1916).

From the moment Aidan Dooley walked on stage the audience were transported to another time through the magic of the wonderful art of storytelling. Aidan was a master of engaging with his audience, adept at knowing when to inject humour, without it taking away from the marvellous tale that was unfolding before our eyes. At times I felt as if I was sitting around a fire listening to Tom Crean, other times I felt as if I was along side him on a ship with waves crashing all around, or sliding down a glacier at breakneck speeds.

Aidan made all the characters come to life before my eyes with imagery so vivid that I could picture Teddy Evans and William Lashly as they waited for Tom Crean to get help for them. Crean's solitary trek to base camp to rescue his comrades has been described by Antarctic Historians as “the finest feat of individual heroism from the entire age of exploration”. Tom Crean was awarded the Albert Medal for his bravery.

I found myself going through a range of emotions during the play such was Aidan’s masterful narration. He managed to bring the character of Tom Crean alive and at times it felt as if the great man himself was in front of us casually recalling events.

Nessa and Pat Dunlea, who had seen the show previously and felt that it would be ideal to stage in the Town Hall Theatre, brought the play to Kilcullen. Well they were right and I would like to thank them for their efforts.

The programme notes pointed out that Aidan Dooley was the winner of the best solo performance at the New York International Fringe Festival and also received a best actor nomination at the Dublin Fringe Festival in the same year. I have a feeling that during his career more awards will follow. It was a performance that will live in the memory for a long time and I urge anyone reading this, if you get the opportunity, go and see this one man show, because it is an enthralling tale of a remarkable life and an amazing piece of theatre.

— Paul Aspell.