Waves

In a nutshell:
Beguiling storytelling / Feel-good twists / Intimate and imaginative

An intimate theatrical event, Waves is the story of  Elizabeth Moncello, daughter of immigrants and the unofficial inventor of the famous Butterfly stroke, set in present day Edinburgh and 1930s Australia.

Elizabeth has a watertight reason for learning to swim and a school of fish, penguins and other amphibian friends to teach her how. Her determination, wit and courage help her defy the tide of expectation and discover her hidden strengths.

The set is very simple and includes just a table, a chair and a couple of small props. In it the performer, Alice, speaks directly to the audience engaging them in the story with highly expressive storytelling, delicate movement and humour.

Directed by Gill Robertson and produced by Louise Gilmour Wills of Catherine Wheels, the theatrical force behind The Ballad of Pondlife McGurk, Waves is about having an idea and the courage, drive and desire to follow it through – to swim against the tide of history and expectations, and to achieve something that is truly incredible.

“...the story, “both fairy tale and superhero journey”, is an enchanting one. Although pretty much entirely made-up, it is always utterly believable.” The Stage @Edfringe

"an understated… highly distinctive performance style, merging elements of storytelling, acting and physical theatre" – Fringe Guru

Presented in association with New Zealand Festival, Catherine Wheels Theatre Company and Imaginate Festival

Recommended for Years 7-13

TO BOOK FOR SCHOOLS CLICK HERE

Times: Wed 9th March 1pm
            Thurs 10th March 1pm
            Fri 11th March 10.30am          

EXTRAS FOR TEACHERS:
PRODUCTION NOTES:

Curriculum Links - From the Artist
Expressive Arts: (drama and dance)
An excellent example of  expressive story telling with Alice’s use of her body and facial expressions to deliver that story. Solo performance.
Health and Well-being/Physical Education:
Many of the children relate to the struggle to learning how to swim and in particular the difficulty of the Butterfly stroke. Waves is about facing and conquering fear.
Sciences:
The story is centred in large part on the trial and error of Elizabeth's attempts to learn how to swim and how something is 'invented'.
Social Sciences (life for an Australian girl in the late 20's and 30’s).
While the character of Elizabeth is fictitious, the story does contain historical references to the 1936 Olympics, travel and communications. Likewise, although details of the lives of real Australian swimmers Fanny Durack and Annette Kellerman have been embellished or changed, this could nevertheless act as a springboard to further discussion about early female Olympians.

Supported by Creative Scotland