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Donkey's stage and screen life story told in new book | Donkey's stage and screen life story told in new book |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Mistreated, neglected and moments from slaughter, the future looked pretty bleak for Pollyanne the donkey until an Oxfordshire sanctuary came to her rescue. | Mistreated, neglected and moments from slaughter, the future looked pretty bleak for Pollyanne the donkey until an Oxfordshire sanctuary came to her rescue. |
Dubbed "a great scene-stealer" by legendary operatic tenor Placido Domingo, Pollyanne went from the knacker's yard to the West End stage in less than a decade. | Dubbed "a great scene-stealer" by legendary operatic tenor Placido Domingo, Pollyanne went from the knacker's yard to the West End stage in less than a decade. |
Believe it or not, this rags-to-riches fairytale has now become the subject of a book telling the grey mare's life story. | Believe it or not, this rags-to-riches fairytale has now become the subject of a book telling the grey mare's life story. |
From the Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary in Brightwell-Cum-Sotwell, near Wallingford, the next stop for Pollyanne turned out to be the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. | From the Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary in Brightwell-Cum-Sotwell, near Wallingford, the next stop for Pollyanne turned out to be the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. |
But, it could all have been so different for the 22-year-old had sanctuary owner John McLaren not decided to take Pollyanne in and nurture her back to health. | But, it could all have been so different for the 22-year-old had sanctuary owner John McLaren not decided to take Pollyanne in and nurture her back to health. |
Salami meat | Salami meat |
He said: "She came from the horse sales market near Salisbury where she had been earmarked for slaughter in March 1997. | He said: "She came from the horse sales market near Salisbury where she had been earmarked for slaughter in March 1997. |
"Her owner was reluctant to let me have her at first as at the time, there was a great demand for donkey meat among Italians for salami. | "Her owner was reluctant to let me have her at first as at the time, there was a great demand for donkey meat among Italians for salami. |
"But, with a little persuasion he came round and Pollyanne was ours. | "But, with a little persuasion he came round and Pollyanne was ours. |
"Sadly, she had been taken to the market with very badly overgrown and mishaped hooves. She was turning them in and actually stepping over herself to get moving. | "Sadly, she had been taken to the market with very badly overgrown and mishaped hooves. She was turning them in and actually stepping over herself to get moving. |
"When she first arrived with us, she was not a very happy donkey at all and was in a lot of pain. You couldn't get near her for her kicking you, but slowly in time she came around." | "When she first arrived with us, she was not a very happy donkey at all and was in a lot of pain. You couldn't get near her for her kicking you, but slowly in time she came around." |
Pollyanne soon became a great companion and her first acting job was for the Kempton Theatre in Henley-On-Thames, wandering around the town with an advertising board previewing future performances. | |
It was during this time that she and John, 65, were spotted by a representative from agency Animal Ambassadors. On the spot, they were offered the chance to go to London to audition for a coveted part in a production of Italian opera Pagliacci. | It was during this time that she and John, 65, were spotted by a representative from agency Animal Ambassadors. On the spot, they were offered the chance to go to London to audition for a coveted part in a production of Italian opera Pagliacci. |
Stage presence | Stage presence |
"I was more nervous than the donkey to be honest on the first day we went to London for rehearsals," recalled Mr McLaren. | "I was more nervous than the donkey to be honest on the first day we went to London for rehearsals," recalled Mr McLaren. |
"But I need not have been, Pollyanne proved a big hit and before we knew it, she was a natural on stage." | "But I need not have been, Pollyanne proved a big hit and before we knew it, she was a natural on stage." |
For the last seven years, Pollyanne and Mr McLaren have performed hand-in-hand in productions of Bizet's Carmen, taking the stage together as extras with added presence. | For the last seven years, Pollyanne and Mr McLaren have performed hand-in-hand in productions of Bizet's Carmen, taking the stage together as extras with added presence. |
Pollyanne's other artistic credits include appearances in episodes of Midsomer Murders as well as church services at Christmas and on Palm Sunday, where she regularly leads a procession through Wantage. | Pollyanne's other artistic credits include appearances in episodes of Midsomer Murders as well as church services at Christmas and on Palm Sunday, where she regularly leads a procession through Wantage. |
Her portfolio also includes a photoshoot in Vogue. | Her portfolio also includes a photoshoot in Vogue. |
Away from the bright lights of the opera house stage, Pollyanne shares a stable with three other female donkeys at the Island Farm Sanctuary. | Away from the bright lights of the opera house stage, Pollyanne shares a stable with three other female donkeys at the Island Farm Sanctuary. |
Mr McLaren, who has run the sanctuary for more than 20 years, said putting Pollyanne's story into print seemed a logical next step. | Mr McLaren, who has run the sanctuary for more than 20 years, said putting Pollyanne's story into print seemed a logical next step. |
He said: "It's been quite a rollercoaster ride for her and it's quite a sad story in places, but one all ages will enjoy." | He said: "It's been quite a rollercoaster ride for her and it's quite a sad story in places, but one all ages will enjoy." |
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