Review – The Man Who Planted Trees
Date Reviewed: 16th December, 2008
Venue: Royal Exchange (Studio)
For an educational and inspiring alternative to the usual Christmas theatrical delights on offer over the festive season in Manchester, look no further than the Royal Exchange Theatre Studio. The Puppet State Theatre Company are presenting a clever and intelligent, multi sensory adaptation of Jean Giono’s classic tale The Man Who Planted Trees.
Originally written for but never published by Reader’s Digest in the 1950’s, the story of French shepherd Elzéard Bouffier who singlehandedly re-forests a desolate valley in Southern France is steeped in mystery with many if it’s first readers believing the story to be non fictional with the narrator being a characterisation of Jean Giono himself. However in 1957 Giono admitted in a letter to the city of Digne that the story is entirely fictional.
Fictional it may be, but it is a heartwarming morality tale that in this stage adaptation is told cleverly as a play within a play with flair, honesty and simplicity.
The two performers who also wrote the script, Richard Medrington and Rick Conte share the responsibility of keeping the target young audience entertained for the short 55 minute duration with Medrington concentrating mainly on narrating the story whilst Conte expertly brings together a whole host of other elements.
Puppets are used to excellent effect especially Dog who, as part of the acting team, takes on a role within the story much to the endless amusement of the audience and, clearly, the performers. The man of the title, Bouffier is also a puppet but a simpler one with limited movements which, judging by the warmth of feeling towards the character at the conclusion of the story is proof of what excellent story tellers Medrington and Conte are.
Sets and props are used to superb effect throughout which is a credit to director and designer Ailie Cohen. Huge tree leaves are used to waft scents of lavender and forests over the audience, model villages with moving parts are beautifully crafted and used to excellent effect whilst bright colourful birds fly over the audience and Dog chases the sheep over the valleys evoked brilliantly using different levels of set and hessian type material.
The story spans two world wars and although these are mentioned they are wisely not dwelt upon in the script, rather the impact of the wars, or lack of impact on Bouffier, is highlighted. The script also makes the odd reference that the children in the audience clearly didn’t understand such as Dog’s audition for The Hound of the Basketballs but for every reference pitched towards the adults there is an abundance of jokes, props and effects designed to grab and hold the attention of the younger audience. Particularly funny is Dog’s tale about his trip to the vegetarian, sorry, Vetinarian where a realisation about his eyes is one of the funniest moments.
The trick with a good Christmas show is to pitch the material so both adults and children alike can come together and enjoy the theatre. Puppet State Theatre Company has managed this brilliantly with The Man Who Planted Trees in a production that succeeds on every level.
With an extensive tour continuing into 2009, this charming tale is not to be missed!
-Malcolm Wallace