Irish Rep to Present Tom Crean - Anarctic Explorer

The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street ) will present Tom Crean - Anarctic Explorer, written and performed by Aidan Dooley. Performances begin July 17, 2007 for a July 26 opening.

Tom Crean (1877 - 1938), "the intrepid Antarctic explorer and on of Ireland 's unsung heroes, is brought to life in this dramatic and humorous solo performances by Aidan Dooley," state press notes.  "Hear the riveting true stories of Crean's Antarctic exploration as 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).  Crean's story is a testament of human fortitude against all the elements of Antarctic, his 36 mile, solitary trek to base camp during the Terra Nova expedition to rescue his comrades Teddy Evans and William Lashly has been described by Antarctic historians as "the finest fest of individual heroism from the entire age of exploration."

This award winning one-man show has toured throughout Ireland and internationally for the past three years playing to capacity audiences and recently received its UK Premier at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it won a Fringe First Award.

Dooley trained at Guilford School of Acting London and works as a freelance Actor, Writer, and Director in London . Highlights of his career as an Actor include Philadelphia Here I Come - Wyndhams Theatre London, Elegies for Angels - Criterion Theatre London, DA - White Bear Theatre London, Players and Painted Stage, and Last Apache Reunion  - SOS Theatre Bristol . He has worked for many years with Spectrum Theatre Projects developing various performance pieces and historical characters for all the National Museums in England including the National Maritime Museum Greenwich, where the idea of a story on Tom Crean originated.  He is a director in his own company, 'Play on Words' which tours Shakespeare and Living History Shows to schools and small theatres all over the UK . He also facilitates a Youth Theatre Project in his hometown of Rochester with his wife Miriam and Drama Summer Schools in Guernsey in the Channel Islands.

Performances are Tuesday - Saturday at 8 PM . Matinees are Saturday and Sunday at 3 PM . Tickets are $60 and $55 and can be purchased by calling The Irish Repertory Theatre Box Office at (212) 727-2737. For more information, call (212) 727-2737 or visit www.irishrep.org/.  Aidan Dooley is appearing with the permission of Actors' Equity Association.