Pollyanna takes centre stage

Pollyanna, who lives at the Island Donkey Sanctuary in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, near Wallingford, will be taking to the stage next month for the Ellen Kent production of Carmen.

But 10 years ago, Pollyanne was at death's door, riddled with lice and worms and due to be put down.

That was until John McClaren, founder of the Island Donkey Sanctuary, found her at the Salisbury horse sales in 1997 and nursed her back to health.

Mr McClaren said: "She was in a very bad state.

"Her hooves were badly overgrown and she could hardly walk and was very underweight.

"She was waiting to be put down.

"You could say she was on death row."

He said her temperament caused problems at first.

"If you walked within six feet of her, she would try and kick you.

"She was a very ill-tempered donkey, but then she was in so much pain, you couldn't really blame her."

For the past 12 years, the Island Donkey Sanctuary has been rescuing mistreated donkeys from around the country.

Pollyanna, who is 22 years old, was brought from the horse sales to the sanctuary, where vets got her on the road to recovery.

Mr McClaren said: "You wouldn't know it was the same donkey these days.

"She's got such a lovely temperament now."

However, her hoof problems have led to her legs becoming twisted - though it has not stopped her stealing the limelight.

Mr McClaren added: "She is such a natural when it comes to performing.

"The director couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"She just hears the music now and knows when to go on stage, and doesn't get scared or bothered by anything."

Pollyanna will also be joined in the production of Carmen at the New Theatre from December 7 by a stallion called Louis.

Joel Barnett, press officer for the theatre, said: "To have a donkey and a stallion on the stage will be a unique event.

"We've had fish, eagles and dogs in the past - we even had a helicopter land - but surely nothing beats a donkey and a stallion."