Pondlife
A new play about how hard it is to be brave and do the right thing. Even when it's your best-friend at stake.
Created with Andy Manley and Gill Robertson for Catherine Wheels with sound design by Danny Krass, Pondlife was first performed in schools across Scotland in 2008. In 2010 it was selected and performed at the Imaginate International Children's Festival. Pondlife has been translated into Swedish and French and toured to Sydney Opera House in 2011. It was performed in the Edinburgh Festival 2012 as part of the Traverse Theatre's programme.
In March 2013 Pondlife will be performed in the Auckland Festival and in 2014 will be touring schools in New York as well as playing in the New Victory Theatre
Nominated for the Brian Way Award 2011.
In March 2013 Pondlife will be performed in the Auckland Festival and in 2014 will be touring schools in New York as well as playing in the New Victory Theatre
Nominated for the Brian Way Award 2011.
       
French version of Pondlife 'Simon la Goudouille'
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REVIEWS
"Rob Evans’s insights into the power-play that makes some kids the bullies and others their prey are gut-wrenching and yet hilarious." **** Mary Brennan, The Herald "you will see that everyone, young and old alike, has the look of a wide-eyed two-year-old. It is as if Manley is a shaman, enchanting his acolytes with magical words, beguiling them into a dream-like state. They stare at him with abandonment and absorption, trusting him, needing him to complete his tale. They are under his spell." Mark Fisher "Three mums and our three sons saw this show today at the Sydney Opera House and we all loved it - thought it was brilliant. We went into the show on a cloudy rainy day and emerged into the bright sunshine - literally and figuratively. Thank you for laughter, joy and some tears, insight, poetry and passion. We didn't even really mind having to sit on the floor...:-)" Audience Member, Sydney Opera House "It was terrific. A class of very disruptive P6 children sat mesmerised - miraculous!" P6 teacher, Aberdeen |
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This story begins with two men.
About my age. Two men. Walking towards each other. That’s the beginning and the end of this story. And I’ll tell you where. An airport. The lounge. Busy with people. Kids screaming, granny’s sitting, mum’s perusing the perfume aisle, spraying clouds of Chanel No 5, already on their holiday. All waiting to board. Waiting to fly away to somewhere else. No one notices these two men. Except the cleaner. Mopping away. Sees them walking towards each other. Two pairs of shoes. White patent leather come all the way from Los Angeles and brown brushed suede come all the way from Edinburgh. Walking. Closing the gap. About to meet. For the first time in thirty years. Best friends they were once. Swore an oath on it when they were ten. Sitting in the woods one evening. Sky above going dark. Best friends forever. Didn’t know they’d have a fight. Didn’t realise their friendship would end. But our story starts before then. Before all that. Back when they first met. |
