Bus Barn's 'Terra Nova' solid

Oakland Tribune, Mar 27, 2003

By Keith Kreitman

CONTRIBUTOR

WHY would a person challenge death to be the first human to reach the South Pole? Today, airplanes fly over it regularly, and settlements in temperature-

controlled domes are all over the place.

It makes no sense in the modern world, unless one realizes it was the equivalent of being the first person shot into space later in the century. The lure of the unknown, promise of fame, honor to one's country are irresistible to a few hearty adventurers. And that is the story of "Terra Nova" (New Land) by famed screenwriter Ted Tally.

The play, which just opened at the Bus Barn Stage Company in Los Altos, is a true story, mostly garnered from the journals and notes found on the body of English explorer John Falcon Scott after he slowly froze to death on the unforgiving white frozen plains of Antarctica.

It would seem morbid to recommend this production, except that it is also a sweeping celebration of raw courage and the willingness of men to test the limits of their imagination, strength and energy.

At the time, Antarctica was the last terra firma that had not yet been conquered by man. Scott was a British naval officer who sailed on a ship called Terra Nova on his second effort to be the first to reach the pole. He and four others succeed but find they were preceded by one month by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and his party.

Hit by unexpectedly severe cold weather on the way back, Scott and his men perished, the last one within 11 miles of stored food and shelter.

The set by Leigh Henderson is only a representation of the vast, bleak snow-covered land. The actors are clad in authentic heavy white protective coverings and are hand towing an enormous supply-laden sled.

The casting by director by David Kurtz was inspired. Six strong, mature men throw themselves into the roles without reservation. The make-up, which must be added regularly, accurately shows the effects of cold and blackening frostbite.

Much of the action is in Scott's hallucinating mind, where he revisits his wife Kathleen -- played by a self-possessed and talented actress, beautiful Shannon Zeig -- and other events that preceded his trip.

John T. Aney, a Bus Barn veteran, wanders in and out of Scott's fantasies as his nemesis Amundsen, haunting Scott with lectures about the mistakes that doomed the mission.

Craig Lewis' Scott is a tour de force of tortured acting, as he struggles with his need to historically immortalize himself at the expense of abandoning his new wife and little son. He rationalizes that it is patriotism that drives him, but one suspects that it is primarily for his own pride and immortal fame.

Scott's four chosen companions for the final thrust are played with touches of brilliance by John Baldwin as Dr. Wilson, Michael Afendakis as Lt. Bowers, Charles McKeithan as Captain Oates and Jesse Tallen as Officer Evans, each willing to sacrifice incredibly and risk death for the glory of being the first.

This is a chilling story but a very heart-warming experience.

Keith Kreitman is a freelance writer and host of "Inside Arts" on Peninsula cable TV channel 26. You can reach him by e-mail at Rainykeith@AOL.com .