i wish i was a mountain
Using rhyme, live music, and just a smattering of metaphysical philosophy, ‘I Wish I Was A Mountain’ boldly reimagines Herman Hesse’s classic fairytale ‘Faldum’. Do we really need the things that we need? What do mountains feel? How did time begin? Adults are kindly requested to leave all answers to these questions at the door. Children, come as you are.
Originally conceived and supported under the 'Incubator' program at the egg theatre, Bath, this was Toby's third foray into full-blown theatre - an innovative mix of poetry and rhyme, music and story-telling for audiences of all ages.
Brought to life with help from Arts Council England, The Peggy Ramsay Foundation, and more than £5000 of generous crowdfunding from fans, co produced by The Egg Theatre Royal Bath and Travelling Light.
Toby has to date performed I Wish I Was A Mountain more than 100 times. The show has toured England, Wales and Ireland, receiving glowing praise from The Guardian and The Herald Scotland, and a 5 star review in The Irish Times.
IWIWAM has been translated in BSL by the sign language poet Donna Williams. Toby and Donna have performed a collaborative version of the show at theatres across the UK, including at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, the Wales Millennium Centre and Southbank Purcell Room.
In 2020 I Wish I Was A Mountain flew to Philadelphia, where it won the prestigious Victor award for Best Theatre Show at IPAY Festival. In 2022 IWIWAM was translated into Chinese and performed on tour by Toby with subtitles for six months around China.
for the record
"Toby Thompson transforms a shipping container into a sensory escape that mirrors his poetry: heartfelt, intricate, often humorous & always evocative portraits of love. 5/5" Fringe Biscuit, 5 stars
Winner of the Pleasance Indie Award for Best Theatre & Family Show at Edinburgh 2018, this innovative show sets Toby's poetry in and amongst the classic songs that so often inspired and surrounded their creation. As it does so it also celebrates the peculiar allure of music shared and enjoyed as God surely intended - on vinyl - in a slower, more considered way than we're used to in this age of disposable downloads. It's a deeply affecting walk through the mysteries and wonders of life and love.
People fall in love
Commissioned in 2016 by Professor of Imagination Dr Penny Hay, this poem celebrates the thoughts and vision of the renowned educationalist Sir Ken Robinson. Toby performed the poem live to Sir Ken, via video link to California, during the International Festival of Childhood.
Funded by Arts Council England and working with long-time collaborator film-maker Buster Grey-Jung, Toby produced this film of his poem PEOPLE FALL IN LOVE.
A day to remember
In 2015 Toby was commissioned by director Jesse Jones (National Theatre, Bristol Old Vic) who was in residence at Royal & Derngate Theatre in Northampton, to write and perform this commemorative work in the centenary year of the Battle of Aubers Ridge.
Aubers Ridge was one of the most disastrous British military engagements of the First World War. The Northamptonshire Regiment was heavily involved and badly hit. No single regiment suffered more losses on those two days in May 1915 when the British counted 11,000 casualties overall for no material strategic gain.
Working first with local historian Geoff Granger, Toby immersed himself in the true life stories of the people of Northampton, and the resulting work takes us deeper and deeper into the world of the men , women and families who were affected. Over five passages, through their journey from the sunny and optimistic spring of 1914 to its fateful outcome, we come to know them, love them and respect them, before we have no choice but to mourn those who perished, and pity those who were left behind.
Director Jesse Jones created a production that is both moving and gripping in equal measure, incorporating specially created soundscape and visuals by Toby’s long-time collaborator Buster Grey-Jung.
