DO NOT GO GENTLE

About the show

Aged care residents imagine themselves as members of Captain Scott's ill-fated 1911 Antarctic expedition in this exploration of ageing and mortality. Written by Patricia Cornelius, the play uses the harsh Antarctic landscape as a metaphor for the vulnerabilities and challenges of growing old. The production weaves together two narratives: an epic survival story of Scott's doomed race to the South Pole and a quieter reflection on how residents confront loss, memory, and the passage of time. Directed by Heather Fairbairn and performed by an ensemble of experienced actors, the work examines resilience, dignity, and the enduring human capacity for love and connection in the face of life's final journey. At its core, the play is a defiant statement about aging bodies and unyielding spirits.