Directed by Magnetic North’s Artistic Director Nicholas Bone and written by Pamela Carter (Slope, Tramway and What We Know, Traverse), Wild Life is inspired by the true story of Victor, the so-called ‘Wolf-Boy of Aveyron’ found living wild in 19th century rural France. Read more …
This dark, witty and provocative new play follows the progress of a 21st-century Victor as his education becomes a televised experiment, questioning the nature of humanity, what we teach children and how we understand our place in the world.
‘Stories about feral children have been around for thousands of years’ says Nicholas Bone ‘but recent examples like Oxana Melaya - the Ukrainian girl who grew up among dogs - show that these cases continue to fascinate and appall us in equal measure. I'm a great admirer of Pamela Carter's writing and am delighted she is working with Magnetic North on Wild Life. Her work often challenges received assumptions and this is a perfect subject for her.’
Wild Life will also see the company reuniting with globally-renowned Glasgow environmental artists Sans facon (aka Tristan Surtees and Charles Blanc), the team behind Walden’s acclaimed design.
Would I recommend Wild Life as well worth taking time out to see? Definitely. Even though admittedly this leftfield drama may not be to everybody's taste.7
If there is one reason to see Nicholas Bone’s production...it is the perfectly judged performances by Lesley Hart and David Ireland.
It leaves the audience wanting more - perhaps in the form of a post-show discussion - rather than wishing that the evening had finished sooner.
Not so much a play as a collection of musings hooked on a mish-mash of ideas.
Director Nicholas Bone draws out two superb performances from Lesley Hart and David Ireland, who brilliantly capture the everyday rhythms of Carter's conversational interplay before the dramatic engine runs out of steam.
This is intelligent drama, deceptive in its apparent simplicity.
Wild Life questions whether it is possible to remove ourselves from that mentality. Unless we forget all our social conditioning, it seems unlikely.
Magnetic North's Wild Life explores idea of modern day feral child
Wild Life
On Tour, from Friday February 25, 2011, until Saturday March 19, 2011. www.magneticnorth.org.uk.
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