For P5-P7 pupils
25 January-5 February 2027
22-26 February 2027

Lightning Ridge

An award-winning solo show for upper primary classes created and presented by Catherine Wheels (Going for Gold: Me and Linford Christie, The Last Forecast, Martha). Adapted from the book 'Pobby and Dingan' by Ben Rice.
 
12 year-old Ashmol lives in the Australian outback with his mum, dad and his little sister Kellyanne and her two invisible friends Pobby and Dingan.

 One day, Pobby and Dingan disappear. At first Ashmol is happy that the imaginary friends are out of his life, but Kellyanne becomes sick. The longer Pobby and Dingan are lost, the sicker Kellyanne becomes. Finally, Ashmol decides that there is only one thing to do: he must find Pobby and Dingan.
 
Lightning Ridge is a heartbreaking and beautiful story about the possibility of dreams, about a community coming together, the preciousness of hope and how, sometimes, we have to believe in the impossible.
 
Winner of the 2024 Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland award for Best Production for Children and Young People.
 
"A beautiful piece of storytelling, brought to the stage by a dream team of theatre practitioners who really know their craft." All Edinburgh Theatre
 
"Captivating, funny and desperately sad, it is one of the best shows on the Edinburgh fringe."
The Guardian
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For P5-P7 pupils
90 pupils per performance
2 performances per day (180 pupils in total)
Minimum performance space 10m x 10m; clear, flat, uncarpeted hall

About the Company

Catherine Wheels is Scotland’s most celebrated producer of work for children and young people, working with a diverse range of artists to create projects and tours to communities, theatres and schools in Scotland and internationally. Established in 1999, Catherine Wheels has a long-standing reputation of being a key figure within performance for young audiences. As well as producing new work, Catherine Wheels’ roots run deep in the sector, supporting artists and practitioners to create their own work. The company is recognised internationally for its expertise and contribution to the development of the young audiences sector.

Presented by Catherine Wheels
Co-Creator: Gill Robertson
Co-creator, Director & Text: Robert Alan Evans
Co-Creator & Designer: Shona Reppe
Co-creator & Composer: Daniel Padden
Lighting Designer: Emma Jones
Assistant Director: Lauren Desjardins
​Image: Murdo MacLeod

Touring to:

Argyll and Bute Council, Clackmannanshire Council, East Dumbartonshire Council, East Renfrewshire Council, Falkirk Council, Glasgow City Council, Inverclyde Council, North Ayrshire Council, North Lanarkshire Council, Perth and Kinross Council, Renfrewshire Council, Stirling Council & West Dunbartonshire Council.