In 1910, Robert Falcon Scott began an expedition to Antarctica. Norway's Roald Amundsen started his at the same time, chose a different route and became the first man to reach the South Pole, one month before Scott.
Defeated and demoralised, and in bitter weather, the British team succumbed to frostbite, weakness and eventual death on their return journey.
Using the men's diaries and letters, GM Calhorn interweaves the two recollections of events and neatly contrasts gentleman explorer Scott (Adrian Lukis) with driven professional Amundsen (Jamie Lee). Both were talented diarists - Amundsen drily amusing, Scott wryly self-deprecating - but, Edwardian gentleman or not, the Briton was every bit as determined as the Norwegian to plant the flag.
There is much humour in learning just how soppy both men were about their dogs and packhorses, but it is their accounts of the return journeys that are the most poignant.
Amundsen talks gaily about the surfeit of food as he and his team race back to acclaim, while Scott's words are of regret, admitting he had "planned for everything except bad planning".
There is minimal interaction between the men, but that serves only to make the words and performances even more compelling.
To 27 Aug (0131 556 6550; www.pleasance.co.uk)
The Last South: Pursuit of the Pole
Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh Fringe
