Sally Pomme Clayton

REPERTOIRE:
Sally Pomme has a wide-ranging repertoire for both children and adults, for performances and work in educational and community contexts and for site specific work. These are the performances she is currently offering for adults and children. Sally Pomme's repertoire is ever expanding; she is available for commissions and can develop material for specific projects as required.

Solo performances:
Eros and Psyche - Undressed, Sally Pomme Clayton undresses the myth of Eros and Psyche - recreating Psyche's journey from romance to the edge of existence, stripping back the myth to reveal hidden Platonic ideas. The performance combines two aspects of classical culture - a mythical romance with Socratic dialogues. Plato's Symposium acts as a counterpoint to Psyche's quest, as the character of Socrates is evoked, with his sharp humour and cutting mind. Socratic thought weaves through the performance, asking - what is the path of love?

Tales of Soloman and Sheba, Provoking, seductive, and a virgin, the Queen of Sheba visits King Solomon to test his wisdom. Riddles and tricks, desire and foolishness ensue, as they unravel each others' histories. Countless apocrypha; tales exist about Solomon and Sheba throughout the Middle east. Sally Pomme Clayton snips and clips stories from Sumerian, Hebrew, Christian and Islamic traditions. She uses an ancient Ethiopian story scroll to trace Sheba's ancestry back to Adam's first wife Lilith and forward to Mother Goose and reveal the secret of Sheba's virginity.

Collaborations:
The Carpet of Dreams, Mesmerising stories and songs from Arabic and Jewish traditions performed with the stunning musicians of Joglaresa. Band members include Belinda Sykes, Paul Clarvis and Tim Garside. For adults and children over 10.

Four Thousand Winters, Joglaresa and Sally Pomme Clayton draw on the yuletide songs and tales from medieval Europe, conjuring polar bears, frost, ancient crows, fireside, and darkness. For adults and children over 7.

Family shows:
Tales Told in Tents, A storytelling journey through Central Asia, weaving myths, fairytales and cultural description, with anecdotes of extraordinary travels. Sally Pomme Clayton has been researching Central Asian oral traditions for many years, she evokes the traditions and folklore, mountains and steppe, and the important role of the storyteller in nomadic societies. Adults and children over 10.

The Golden Castle that Hung in the Air, Vasily sets off to the edge of the world to find the golden castle that hangs in the air and finds himself inside a cosmic battle between day and Night, Sun and Moon. For children aged 6 upwards.

Amazons! , Sally Pomme Clayton tells stories from her new book. Tales from all over the world of brave girls who kill dragons, over-come demons, travel to the Northern Lights, and learn that warrior skills are worthless without love. The performance lasts an hour, and can be combined with a short workshop on developing your own Amazon abilities by talking, imagining, telling stories and writing spells! For children aged 7 upwards.

Olympia - Tales of the first Olympics, Ancient Greek myths and legends are woven with cultural history depicting the first Olympics. Originally part of a religious festival in honour of Zeus the games took place in the temple grounds. Discover how the Olympics began, who took part, and what they were like. For children aged 7 upwards.

MEDIA:
Plays:
Rama and Sita – Path of Flames, The Unicorn Children’s Theatre 2005
The Tales of the Seven Princesses for Chichester Festival Theatre 2003
Stardust, The Unicorn Children's Theatre 2001

PUBLICATIONS:
Sally Pomme Clayton's most recent book is ‘Amazons! Women Warriors of the World’ (Frances Lincoln. October 2008, ISBN 978-1-84507-660-3), which explores how being an Amazon is not so much about physical strength and more about inner strength. The book is vividly illustrated by Sophie Herxheimer. Seven stories are interspersed with playful, interactive, 'how to...' pages - with cultural and historical information, and ideas to inspire you to be a real 21st-century Amazon!
Other books include: Tales Told in Tents - stories from Central Asia, published by Frances Lincoln. ‘This is a splendid book’ (Books for Keeps), The Girl who married a Bear, The Girl who went to the Underworld, The Girl with Golden Fingers and The Girl who told a 1001 Stories, published by Orchard Books. ‘A rollicking, rich, irreverent set of yarns about bold, strong and wise heroines.’ (Times Educational Supplement)

AWARDS:
Performing Arts Lab Award, for playwriting for young people, 2001.
BBC Write Out Loud Award, for new writing for radio, 1997.

‘She delights in subverting her audiences expectations ... subtly tweaking and twisting the stories to suit the responses and demands of the audience.’
The Independent

‘From the moment The Seven Princesses began, as Janie played the opening chords on her accordion, the children listened eagerly ... with a bubbling, concentrated anticipation, which I can only describe as thirst. They were thirsty for stories and ready to drink.’
Times Educational Supplement

‘One of the country’s most highly regarded storytellers ... she awakens the imagination of the audience.’
The Independent

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