Pondlife McGurk
Was a troublesome child
Some called him stupid
Some called him wild
But all called him Pondlife
For that was his name
Simon and Martin join school together and become best friends despite their differences. Then, one day,
Martin does something that will poison their friendship forever.
Pondlife was created by Rob Evans, Andy Manley and Gill Robertson for Catherine Wheels. It was first performed across schools in Scotland in 2008 and again in May 2010 at the Imaginate Children's Festival. It performed at the Sydney Opera House 2011, Traverse programme through Made in Scotland at the Fringe in Edinburgh 2012. Auckland Arts Festival 2013 and at the New Victory Theater, New York in 2014
Performer - Andy Manley
Text - Rob Evans
Director - Gill Robertson
Sound Designer - Danny Krass
Stage Manager - Sian Mitchell MacGregor
Production Manager and Lighting Design - Craig Fleming
Producer - Paul Fitzpatrick
Nominee - Brian Way Award 2011
Winner - Herald Archangel 2012
Winner - La prix de la pièce de théâtre contemporain pour le jeune public
"acutely perceptive and quietly devastating" (Full review)
Laurel Graeber, New York Times
"The themes will resonate regardless of your age" *****
Sophie Kindreich, The Herald
"No matter what age you are, it’s emotional, uplifting and completely unforgettable." *****
Yasmin Sulaiman, Fest
"...enchanting coming of age tale" ****
The Metro
"This is what theatre is all about, perfect performance, perfect direction and ultimately perfect storytelling." *****
John Roberts, The Public Reviews
"The very model of audience-capturing storytelling" ****
Gerald Berkowitz, Theatre Guide London
" It is as if Manley is a shaman, enchanting his acolytes with magical words...needing him to complete his tale. They are under his spell." (Full review)
Mark Fisher, Northings
"Manley makes every morsel of Pondlife’s experiences...come vividly, painfully alive." ****
Mary Brennan, The Herald
"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
Was a troublesome child
Some called him stupid
Some called him wild
But all called him Pondlife
For that was his name
Simon and Martin join school together and become best friends despite their differences. Then, one day,
Martin does something that will poison their friendship forever.
Pondlife was created by Rob Evans, Andy Manley and Gill Robertson for Catherine Wheels. It was first performed across schools in Scotland in 2008 and again in May 2010 at the Imaginate Children's Festival. It performed at the Sydney Opera House 2011, Traverse programme through Made in Scotland at the Fringe in Edinburgh 2012. Auckland Arts Festival 2013 and at the New Victory Theater, New York in 2014
Performer - Andy Manley
Text - Rob Evans
Director - Gill Robertson
Sound Designer - Danny Krass
Stage Manager - Sian Mitchell MacGregor
Production Manager and Lighting Design - Craig Fleming
Producer - Paul Fitzpatrick
Nominee - Brian Way Award 2011
Winner - Herald Archangel 2012
Winner - La prix de la pièce de théâtre contemporain pour le jeune public
"acutely perceptive and quietly devastating" (Full review)
Laurel Graeber, New York Times
"The themes will resonate regardless of your age" *****
Sophie Kindreich, The Herald
"No matter what age you are, it’s emotional, uplifting and completely unforgettable." *****
Yasmin Sulaiman, Fest
"...enchanting coming of age tale" ****
The Metro
"This is what theatre is all about, perfect performance, perfect direction and ultimately perfect storytelling." *****
John Roberts, The Public Reviews
"The very model of audience-capturing storytelling" ****
Gerald Berkowitz, Theatre Guide London
" It is as if Manley is a shaman, enchanting his acolytes with magical words...needing him to complete his tale. They are under his spell." (Full review)
Mark Fisher, Northings
"Manley makes every morsel of Pondlife’s experiences...come vividly, painfully alive." ****
Mary Brennan, The Herald
"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
