Nemesis

One of the most powerful relationships within Terra Nova is the relationship between Robert Falcon Scott and his nemesis Roald Amundsen. Amundsen appears in Scott’s imagination in Terra Nova as a formidable force of condemnation for the way Scott handled his attempt at his expedition. Almost like the devil on Scott’s shoulder, Amundsen turns up throughout the play to point out his weaknesses and mistakes which inevitably will lead to his death. Over the weekend rehearsals we discussed how smart we believed Amundsen to be. Rather than depend on good old ‘sportsmanship’ Amundsen did whatever it took to get his men to the Pole and back safely, including eating his own dogs for sustenance.

Amundsen initially wanted to explore the North, but after hearing of others claiming the North Pole already he had a change of heart and headed South. He misled Scott (and his own team by all accounts) by not making this fact known.

After his ship Fram arrived in Madeira he informed his men where they were going and sent a telegram to Scott, it said simply:

BEG TO INFORM YOU FRAM PROCEEDING ANTARCTIC - AMUNDSEN.

How very unsporting of him.

Several other techniques were used by Amundsen which ensured his trip was a successful one. He used Eskimo skins rather than wool, dogs hauled his sledges instead of the men and he set up a line of supply depots south of the pole. Starting their journey on the 19th October 1911 with 52 dogs they got to the Pole on December 14th 1911, 35 days before Scott’s team. When they returned to their base camp on the 25th January 1912 there were only 11 dogs left. 41 unlucky dogs had been turned into dinner.

Scott’s tragic journey was hindered by his preparation, equipment, bad luck and occasionally (in my opinion) his very British ‘stiff upper lip’ attitude. A gentleman does not eat dogs, how barbaric!

Barbarian perhaps but Amundsen made it, alive.

Rehearsals are taking shape nicely now. We managed to run through the whole of the first act last night, with costumes too. However, they are making the boys on stage rather hot and sticky so we’ll to combat the heat somehow. We can’t have our men sweating in the Antarctic!

Opening night is the 7th of June and we’ll be running the play for 2 weeks, join us! I’ll be keeping you thoroughly updated on where to get tickets so keep following us on our adventure…

Look who's back!

Our very own Evans has arrived safely in NZ and is back to work...
Looking miserable as he should be, his hand is badly frostbitten and ready for amputation!

Blocking

The process is long, complicated and exhausting, perhaps mirroring some of the aspects of Scott’s own journey in the Antarctic. Last night we began the process of blocking Terra Nova. The props were gathered, the sledge was dragged, a make-shift slope was built and copious amounts of notes were taken. So we begin to form a shape of things to come…




Whilst the photo quality isn’t good, I was taking these ‘on the fly’ as I didn’t want to disturb our hard working cast.

I heard somewhere along the line I’ll be filling in as Petty Officer Evans this week as Karlos is out of town for a trade show. Better brush up on my Welsh accent to help out properly!

Fact: Robert Falcon Scott had actually intended to use the ship he had used in his first expedition to the Pole, the ‘Discovery’. However, the admiralty had sold it to the Hudson’s Bay Company and they refused to sell her back. After looking at some other ships Scott purchased the ‘Terra Nova’.

Read Through

It has been a long time since I have been involved in a Theatre production. In fact if I were to count it, it has been exactly 6 years since I last did any work for the stage. After graduating from Uni with a degree in Theatre Studies I left Scotland and never looked back.

However, after travelling and essentially living life like a gypsy for a good number of years I have finally settled. Here, in fine little New Zealand. I gained my residency got a good job, made lots of amazing friends but always felt there was something missing. I knew after a while what it was, the Theatre and all things that go with it, great writing, amazing actors, brilliant set designs, costumes and the pre-opening night jitters. I missed the magic of it all, I missed the lights, the anticipation, the audience and the natural high of being on stage. However, as I said it has been a while. I approached Titirangi Theatre with the view to volunteering but having no real clue as to what I wanted to specialise/volunteer for, I just knew I wanted back through those doors.

Terra Nova the next production in the 2011 programme needed new people to help and I'm here, I'm involved and I'm excited! Liz Watkinson, well respected and long-time Titirangi Theatre director has asked me to be her PA and stage manager for the production and I couldn't be happier. Whilst attending rehearsals, taking notes and filling in for different parts I will also be updating our Facebook page and keeping this blog along the way, just to add even more pressure to the mix!

We have completed our read-through and first rehearsal so far. The read-through was was intense. Huddled around the table in the basement of the Lopdell House we listened to Scott's story unfold. Ted Tally's script is beautiful and despite the male goading, fierce competition and the ultimate tragedy (we all know this doesn't end well) it is also full of hope, love, bravery and strength. I sat with baited breath all the way through the second half of the read through. Although I already knew the outcome of the expedition, there was something special about hearing our newly appointed actors and their characters bringing it to life. This is one to watch, make sure you have the dates in your diary folks, I'll be on your case for you to get tickets 7th to 18th June at Titirangi Theatre!

The Beginning

Their journey is now our journey. Terra Nova by Ted Tally is the latest production under way at Titirangi Theatre. Directed by Liz Watkinson and with a strong dedicated cast we are gearing up for an exploration of the heart, soul and mind somewhere deep in the Antarctic.
Come with us from the beginning, with this blog my intention is to follow our journey as we recreate Robert Falcon Scott's expedition for the stage. While I don't want to take away the magic of the final product, I think of it as more of a diary to track our progress and to build excitement for our audience along the way.

So pull on your long johns and your Nansen sweater, batten down the hatches, grab some hoosh and come with the Titirangi Theatre on our adventure to the South Pole.