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The Fire on the Snow
This recreation of Douglas Stewart’s verse radioplay, which was first broadcast on 6th June 1941 by the Australian Broadcasting Company, features vocal talent from the local Gold Coast Theatre Scene, Queensland. Sound effects created by Nathan Schulz & music by Kevin MacLeod.
It was produced and edited by Nathan Schulz, Directed by Barry Gibson and Nathan Schulz
Synopsis:
Based on an ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition to Antarctica, this verse play tells the story of the final push to reach the South pole by Robert Falcon Scott, Edward Adrian Wilson, Lawrence Oates, Henry Robertson Bowers and Edgar Evans.
About the Author:
Poet, writer and critic Douglas Alexander Stewart (1913-1985), who penned the 1941 homage to British polar explorer, Robert Falcon Scott, Fire in the Snow, was born in New Zealand and died in Sydney, Australia.
Despite his heritage and love of the New Zealand countryside, Stewart spent much of his life on the Aussie side of the Ditch and was credited with helping to establish, ‘an Australian national tradition through a mythical re-creation of the past.’
To read more click here
Behind the Wireless:
An audio drama that inspired a student
When retired Gold Coast teacher and veteran community theatre icon, Barry Gibson, was a schoolboy he was introduced to a radio play that has stayed with him ever since.
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To read more subscribe for free by clicking here
Want to know more about the Terra Nova Expedition?
Visit the Antarctic Heritage Trust, there you will find information about Antarctic explorers and ross sea heritage restoration project
Listen to Frozen in Time: Scott's Legacy
Journey through Scott’s carefully conserved Terra Nova Hut with the Trust's Chief Operations Officer, Francesca Eathorne by listening to the podcast here
Prologue
The march to the South Pole, with dogs, ponies, and motor sledges for transporting supplies began at Camp Evans on November 1st, 1911.
The time of this verse radioplay is from 4th January 1912, when the last supporting party returned, to 29th March 1912, when Scott’s diary ceases.
Episode 1: 4th January 1912
This Episode opens at the point when Scott, Wilson, Bowers, Evans, and Oates are about to leave the last supporting party on the 4th of January 1912, before setting out on the final dash to the Pole.
The Antarctic wind speaks first.
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Cast in order of appearance:
The Antarctic wind: Del Halpin, Dawn China and Peta Schulz
The five explorers: Jimmy Corbett (Scott), Adam Hellier (Wilson), Trevor Love (Bowers), Mikey Real (Oates) and Barry Gibson as (Evans)
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Music by Kevin Macleod - click here for music program or click here to view License (CC BY 4.0)
Sound effects by Nathan Schulz
Produced & edited by Nathan Schulz (The Drama Merchant)
Directed by Barry Gibson & Nathan Schulz
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Episode 2: 19th January 1912
Upon reaching the pole on 17th January to find Roald Amundsen had preceded them by 34 days; Scott, Wilson, Bowers, Evans, and Oates begin the 862 miles (1,387 km) return journey on 19th January 1912. During this time they faced deteriorating weather, a lack of fuel in the depots, hunger, exhaustion and the physical deterioration of Evans and Oates.
The Antarctic wind speaks first.
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Cast in order of appearance:
The Antarctic wind: Del Halpin, Dawn China and Peta Schulz
The five explorers: Jimmy Corbett (Scott), Trevor Love (Bowers), Adam Hellier (Wilson), Barry Gibson (Evans), Mikey Real (Oates)
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Music by Kevin Macleod - click here for music program or click here to view License (CC BY 4.0)
Sound effects by Nathan Schulz
Produced & edited by Nathan Schulz (The Drama Merchant)
Directed by Barry Gibson & Nathan Schulz
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Episode 3: 29th March 1912
After Oates walked to his death in the blizzard on 16th March 1912, Scott, Wilson & Bowers walk another 20 miles (32 km) before making their final camp on 19th March. Here a fierce blizzard prevents them making any further progress, trapping them inside the tent, with dwindling supplies.
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The Antarctic wind speaks first.
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Cast in order of appearance:
The Antarctic wind: Del Halpin, Dawn China and Peta Schulz
The explorers: Jimmy Corbett (Scott), Trevor Love (Bowers), Adam Hellier (Wilson).
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Music by Kevin Macleod - click here for music program or click here to view License (CC BY 4.0)
Sound effects by Nathan Schulz
Produced & edited by Nathan Schulz (The Drama Merchant)
Directed by Barry Gibson & Nathan Schulz
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Epilogue
After living on the ice for five months, marching eight hundred miles to the Pole and about six hundred miles of the return journey, Scott, Wilson, and Bowers perished in their tent; they were exhausted and short of food and the blizzard which raged for 9 days prevented them from Marching to their ‘One Ton Camp’, eleven miles away, where there was food and fuel that might have saved them.
A "Message to the Public" was found in Scott’s diary vindicating the expedition's organisation and conduct, but ending on an inspirational note, with these words:
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“We took risks, we knew we took them; things have come out against us, and therefore we have no cause for complaint, but bow to the will of Providence, determined still to do our best to the last ... Had we lived, I should have had a tale to tell of the hardihood, endurance, and courage of my companions which would have stirred the heart of every Englishman. These rough notes and our dead bodies must tell the tale, but surely, surely, a great rich country like ours will see that those who are dependent on us are properly provided for.”