Tom Crean - Antarctic Explorer

Published Monday 18 February 2008 at 10:45 by Katie Colombus

The adventures of a turn of the century Antarctic explorer performed by one man on a postage stamp stage might seem lacking in a certain conviction.

However, through audience interaction, storytelling, physical demonstration and truly fascinating subject matter, Aidan Dooley succeeds in presenting an intriguing, multi-faceted and touching narrative of Tom Crean’s life. He is armed with facts and knowledge, and his tale is told with compassion and humour.

An explorer on three of the four major British expeditions to Antarctica - two led by the acclaimed Robert Scott and one by the equally respected Ernest Shackleton - Crean’s memories have been gathered from snippets of history as recorded by the aforementioned heroes of the age of Antarctic exploration.

Crean showed a commendable dedication to protecting his fellow men during his adventures, and Dooley an insight into a trustworthy character armed with great physical and mental strength as well as an extraordinary drive to set foot on soil untouched by the human boot sole.

His little known yet remarkable legacy is explained - Crean did not write diaries. Shackleton and Scott did. No diary, no memories, and thus it was easy for Crean to be forgotten. Were it not for Dooley, his remarkable stories would remain just that.