Irene came to us first as a film and literary critic. She quickly brought her insights to all the arts, following in caliber and originality those of our Pauline Kael, but contributing to a broader range of interests. Eventually she applied these talents to our major drama productions as Artistic Consultant, and along the way composed several orignial radio dramas and sketches, two of which are heard in this series. In San Francisco Irene was Artistic Director of the Firehouse Theater Company. Now in Los Angeles she continues as a playwright, critic, essayist, producer, and teacher. Her articles and dance/theater reviews have appeared in the Los Angeles Times and the Threepenny Review.
INLAND ICE
by Irene Oppenheim
The botanist, Thorild Wulff, participated in the second Thule Expedition, led by Knud Rasmussen to the North Pole. They traveled to Cape Bridgman in the northeastern corner of Peary Land, then turned back. On the return trip, the expedition suffered from bad weather and insufficient supplies. Thorild, became ill, irritable, a threat to the team’s survival. He was abandoned and died from fatigue near Cape Agassiz off the Humboldt Glacier.
Kmud Rasmussen: Ray Reinhardt
Thorild: Raye Birk
Judge: William Patterson
Peter Freuchen: John Nesci
Sound Design: Randy Thom
Additional Sound: Ken Heller & Dany Kopelson Fantasy Studios
Directed by: Erik Bauersfeld
Length: 30:00
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