THE UNKNOWN LAND by Caroline Small
Directed by Alan Meadows
Musical Director: Keith Kendrick
Lighting : Garry Preece
In the 1830s and 40s, the race to discover the fabled North-West Passage – a northern trade route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans – gripped the public imagination, just as the ‘space race’ did a century later and seamen from British ports sailed north in search of fame and fortune.
The Unknown Land is a compelling tale of extreme survival from a time before radio communication and specialised polar equipment; the human tale behind the politics of the age; the tale of one man’s journey to the ends of the earth and deep inside his own mind.
This is an original play for one actor and many characters. Performed by ex-RSC actor, David Frederickson, and professional folk singer and concertina maestro, Keith Kendrick, and inspired by the deeds of nineteenth century Arctic explorers, Inuit mythology and the fatal attraction of the polar regions.
“The ingenious use of space along with sound, music, props and various storytelling devices transported the audience to the 1840s and the dangerously beautiful environment of the Arctic. ….. It shows what can be done with a small budget and a lot of talent. I recommend you see it for yourself.”
(Sharon Oakes, Script Yorkshire)
“Absolutely gripping, multi-layered, wonderfully acted and very, very moving. See it if you can!”
(Sally Goldsmith, singer/song-writer, poet)
“A terrific performance by David Frederickson in a really fascinating play full of wit and love that I didn't expect from the title and subject matter. If it's not the most unexpectedly joyous night out I'll have this year it'll do to be going on with.”
(Rony Robinson, BBC Radio Sheffield)
Links
www.keithkendrick.com
Available for booking from April 2012
Ring: 07920 755435
Email: mail@davidfrederickson.com
Musical Director: Keith Kendrick
Lighting : Garry Preece
In the 1830s and 40s, the race to discover the fabled North-West Passage – a northern trade route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans – gripped the public imagination, just as the ‘space race’ did a century later and seamen from British ports sailed north in search of fame and fortune.
The Unknown Land is a compelling tale of extreme survival from a time before radio communication and specialised polar equipment; the human tale behind the politics of the age; the tale of one man’s journey to the ends of the earth and deep inside his own mind.
This is an original play for one actor and many characters. Performed by ex-RSC actor, David Frederickson, and professional folk singer and concertina maestro, Keith Kendrick, and inspired by the deeds of nineteenth century Arctic explorers, Inuit mythology and the fatal attraction of the polar regions.
“The ingenious use of space along with sound, music, props and various storytelling devices transported the audience to the 1840s and the dangerously beautiful environment of the Arctic. ….. It shows what can be done with a small budget and a lot of talent. I recommend you see it for yourself.”
(Sharon Oakes, Script Yorkshire)
“Absolutely gripping, multi-layered, wonderfully acted and very, very moving. See it if you can!”
(Sally Goldsmith, singer/song-writer, poet)
“A terrific performance by David Frederickson in a really fascinating play full of wit and love that I didn't expect from the title and subject matter. If it's not the most unexpectedly joyous night out I'll have this year it'll do to be going on with.”
(Rony Robinson, BBC Radio Sheffield)
Links
www.keithkendrick.com
Available for booking from April 2012
Ring: 07920 755435
Email: mail@davidfrederickson.com
A review of The Unknown Land from Edale Village Hall – 16th January 2011
The hall was full, the stage was set, and ‘The Unknown Land’ took us rapidly to a place far more icy than Edale!
This was strong stuff, evocative in both content and language. David Frederickson’s one man performance was superb. He conjured up all the varied characters in this fascinating tale with a change of manner, a turn of the head, an altered accent or a different coat. Theatrical dynamite!
Fredrickson’s portrayal of life in rural England in the 1820’s and the lot of the sailor were reflected in Keith Kendrick’s traditional English songs of land and sea. While his fine voice lightened the tale, it also added a poignant feel to the experience. The interwoven themes of arctic exploration colliding with Biblical stories and Inuit mythology were further enhanced by eerie whale music and Inuit chants reverberating around the spoken words.
The deepest questions of human experience, loss, hope & faith were addressed in a simple tale of a man pitted against the elements, driven first by the need to escape his sorrow, and then by his instinct to survive. His end would not be swift, as he slowly descended into a Lear like madness brought on by months trapped by the ice, eating tinned food laced with lead, and finally by the terror of being the last man left alive in the frozen
wilderness.
We knew from the start that this was a story which would end in tears, but the subtle building of tensions, the masterful variety of characters and the enthralling tales they had to tell, made for an evening of spellbinding theatre. We were very glad that Caroline Small (writer) was in the audience to enjoy the stunning effect of her work.
Margaret Connors and Catherine Parker
The hall was full, the stage was set, and ‘The Unknown Land’ took us rapidly to a place far more icy than Edale!
This was strong stuff, evocative in both content and language. David Frederickson’s one man performance was superb. He conjured up all the varied characters in this fascinating tale with a change of manner, a turn of the head, an altered accent or a different coat. Theatrical dynamite!
Fredrickson’s portrayal of life in rural England in the 1820’s and the lot of the sailor were reflected in Keith Kendrick’s traditional English songs of land and sea. While his fine voice lightened the tale, it also added a poignant feel to the experience. The interwoven themes of arctic exploration colliding with Biblical stories and Inuit mythology were further enhanced by eerie whale music and Inuit chants reverberating around the spoken words.
The deepest questions of human experience, loss, hope & faith were addressed in a simple tale of a man pitted against the elements, driven first by the need to escape his sorrow, and then by his instinct to survive. His end would not be swift, as he slowly descended into a Lear like madness brought on by months trapped by the ice, eating tinned food laced with lead, and finally by the terror of being the last man left alive in the frozen
wilderness.
We knew from the start that this was a story which would end in tears, but the subtle building of tensions, the masterful variety of characters and the enthralling tales they had to tell, made for an evening of spellbinding theatre. We were very glad that Caroline Small (writer) was in the audience to enjoy the stunning effect of her work.
Margaret Connors and Catherine Parker
