David O'Doherty Presents: Rory Sheridan's Tales of The Antarctica

The year is 1914 and the love-struck son of a tent salesman sets off on a seemingly suicidal expedition to Antarctica on a boat captained by a madman.

So begins this whimsical one-man play from David O'Doherty, in character as unwitting adventurer Rory Sheridan. Challenged by clothing magnate Rodney Thinsulate, Sheridan must travel to the South Pole to win the hand of the businessman’s daughter Kate, advertising her family’s garments along the way.

On his return to Plymouth Harbour, after being stuck in an ice sheet for 533 days and accidentally becoming captain, he’s collared by the authorities. Sheridan must pay back all the money wasted on the voyage by embarking on a lecture tour – a lecture tour we are lucky enough to have been invited to.

O'Doherty, dressed head to toe in suitable exploring regalia, conjures up a memorably motley crew of characters (and cats) throughout this tall tale. Whether it’s diatribes about penguins or a description of the unhinged Captain Logan the language is rich and satisfying.

The jokes are craftily woven into the story rather than clumsily forced in for laughs. This subtle humour produces a gentle, meandering and warm show which is impossible not to love.

Never is this sheer heart more apparent than in the ending, which tugs the heartstrings rather than tickles the funnybone. Just lovely.