THEATER review: 'Nova' relives fierce race to icy tip of South Pole

Photos by Henry DiRocco

In "Terra Nova," South Coast Repertory's new production, the lives of a group of men are entwined as they push forward along icy landscapes trying to reach the South Pole. Above, actor Tony Ward (lying down) is helped by members of the crew, after he falls ill halfway through the journey. To the left Don Reilly (right) plays Scott, while Chet Grissom (Second picture) plays Bowers, two men in the British Navy crew, who try to beat the Norwegians and get to the pole first.

By Jack Schneider
On-line Forty-Niner

COSTA MESA-- In the winter of 1911-1912, the British Navy was in competition with the Norwegians. The race was to see which country could make it to the bottom of the South Pole first.

The British were devastated to find out that the Norwegians had beaten them by a long shot. While the victorious Norwegians were known as the country to successfully discover the bottom of the earth, South Coast Repertory's new play "Terra Nova," directed by Martin Benson, tells the brutal and valiant tale of the British, who had their eyes set on claiming the uncharted territory.

The leader of the group included the heroic Robert Falcon Scott (Don Reilly); a fierce and determined gentleman set on bringing his group to the depths of the South Pole. Scott was accompanied by the cocky Bowers (Chet Grissom), the ailing force of "Titus" Oates (Robert Curtis Brown), and two mighty soldiers, Wilson (Michael James Reed) and Evans (Tony Ward).

Each of the five lives interconnected throughout the performance, showing the trials and tribulations of leadership versus bravery. Much of "Terra Nova" revolves around the disillusioned mind of Scott, as the play flashed back to images of Scott's wife Kathleen, played delightfully by Nina Landey.

As a contrasted thought, Scott sees visions of the Norwegian leader Roland Amundsen (Preston Maybank). Dressed in a charcoal wool trench coat, the play shows Amundsen as a ghost, haunting the mind of Scott, telling him to give up because he and his crew don't have a chance at beating the Norwegians.

The flashbacks between Kathleen and Scott resemble their rough and dysfunctional relationship. At times, Scott hears (or sees) Kathleen tell him that it's silly to explore the bottom of the earth, while at other times, Kathleen cries out monologues telling him that she misses his presence at home.

"Terra Nova" is a wild psychological play, with twists and intrigue surrounding every scene. Written by Ted Tally, the play delivers non-stop action from the naval officers, and the people that haunt and share the memories of Robert Falcon Scott.

At times the play was hard to watch, for scenes of frostbite and gangrene were relevant to the scenarios each of the men faced.

An entertaining production, "Terra Nova" is a well-scripted survival story taking the audience beyond loss and defeat, and putting them in the lives of the second best crew that ventured the South Pole.

 

EVENTS LISTING

What: "Terra Nova"
When: Now through
Nov. 16
Where: Orange County Performing Arts Center
655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
Ticket Info: (714) 708-555