FOR P5 - P7 PUPILS
FEBRUARY & MARCH 2019

Pondlife

Moving school is never easy. When class bully Sharon takes an instant dislike to Martin it feels like he has an especially tough ride ahead of him. That is until he befriends Simon McGurk and his fortunes seem to change. The fickle world of playground politics soon puts pressure on their friendship, however, and Martin finds himself making a choice that will impact them both for the rest of their school days.

A passionate one-man show that vividly illustrates the high stakes of classroom power play, Pondlife movingly explores the lasting legacy of childhood friendships.

"utterly gripping" 
Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman

“The teachers of P5, P6 and P7 were very impressed with the performance. The actor was extremely skilled and engaging. The children could not take their eyes off him! It generated lots of interesting discussion back in the classroom. We would wholeheartedly recommend this performance to other schools.”
Alyson Wier, Head Teacher, Tweedbank Primary

Audience size: 120
Running time: 55 mins
Space required: clear, flat hall, min 8m x 12m
Cost: £500 + VAT per day, two performances maximum
For dates please contact: [email protected]

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INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS

Teachers and children will enjoy the performance without prior knowledge of the story but the information packs below help teachers prepare and link to classroom plans.

For two short films to show your class to prepare your class for a theatre experience in the school hall, one for you and one to show them, please see the RESOURCES section of our website.

MORE INFORMATION

About the performance

The performance is 55 minutes long and one skilful performer will take on a variety of roles from class bully to macho teacher. 
 
The children will sit on carpeted ‘islands’ within the performance area while the performer moves around and behind them. 

​The story is about finding a kindred spirit, betrayal and growing up.

Curriculum for Excellence Resources

Participation in arts education projects such as this helps schools to deliver the Curriculum for Excellence by encouraging, supporting and developing cross-curricular learning. The arts in general and drama in particular can encourage children and young people to express their own ideas, beliefs and values through creative work and can help them to develop their capacities as confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors Pondlife will help pupils engage with all four capacities with particular emphasis on: 

Confident individuals
The play will encourage pupils to think about the decisions the character has made and encourage them to think about: 
- Relating to others 
- Self-awareness 
- Taking informed decisions 

Responsible citizens
By witnessing a character who makes decisions that adversely affect his life, pupils will be asked to: 
- See the importance of respect for others 
- Understand the value of informed choices and decisions 
- Develop informed, ethical views of complex issues

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Catherine Wheels Theatre Company is Scotland’s most celebrated producer of work for children and young people, with 29 inspirational and original productions presented in 23 countries since it was formed in 1999. 

Catherine Wheels is also Scotland’s most well-travelled theatre company touring nationally and internationally taking productions to theatres, festivals and schools in communities and cities across Scotland and around the world. Whether performing at home or abroad, the company is delighted to create and share its imaginative and inspirational stories with young people wherever they are.

Catherine Wheels are committed to bringing engaging work to as wide an audience as possible and each year take one show on an extensive tour of Scottish schools.

www.catherinewheels.co.uk

Presented by Catherine Wheels

Created by Andy Manley, Gill Robertson and Robert Alan Evans
Devised by Andy Manley
Directed by Gill Robertson
Written by Robert Alan Evans
Sound Design by Danny Krass