ALICE IN ANTARCTICA

A multi-media performance commemorating the Centenary of the First Australasian Antarctic Expedition 1911 - 1914.

Performed by Alice Giles on Electro-Acoustic ‘Camac Blue’ Pedal and ‘Thom’ Lever Harps, Spoken and Sung Voice. Spoken interludes are taken from the Note Book and Diary of Cecil Thomas Madigan (1899 - 1947), AAE Meteorologist.

Featuring film and audio material recorded by Alice Giles on her 2011 trip as an Australian Antarctic Arts Fellow to Davis and Mawson Stations on the Aurora Australia.

Experience an immersive event with one of Australia’s most respected musicians, in this personal journey through music and film to honour her grandfather Dr. C. T. Madigan.

Works include sentimental favourites mentioned by Madigan in his diaries and new works by Australian composers Larry Sitsky, Martin-Wesley-Smith, Nigel Westlake, Jim Cotter and Joshua McHugh, as well as sounds of the wind through the harp in Antarctica, woven together with words and song into a seamless, one-hour program. The show is adaptable for any size-venue.

"THERE'S an element of risk-taking at the Musica Viva Festival...The festival's third concert was an entirely different experience...Alice in Antarctica proved to be a compelling mix of live and recorded music, spoken extracts from Madigan's diary, photos and video footage. The narrative arc was episodic rather than linear, providing a poignant insight into Madigan's complex reactions to his Antarctic experience. Giles's clever combination of traditional and contemporary music and stunning imagery conveyed both the extraordinary bravery of Mawson's expedition and the sense of haunting mystery Antarctica embodies. Stimulating, moving and inspiring, this was an impressive creation." MURRAY BLACK The Australian, 8th April 2013

Click here for: Full Program Information

For tour enquiries: Contact

Buy the DVD of the First performance, also including film shorts from Alice’s Adventures in Antarctica.

“Musical Adventures in Antarctica” - paper presented at the “Music, Sounds and Cultural Connections” ANU 2011

Blog of the 2011 Australian Antarctic Division Arts Fellowship Voyage