Review – The Man Who Planted Trees (UK)

The puppet adaptation of Jean Giono’s 1950’s environmental story is bound to hold your attention. It’s a story that gates itself around a shepherd who plants a forest, one acorn at a time.

Richard Medrington and Rick Conte work the puppets with ease and aplomb. Suddenly the puppets come alive and merge with these puppeteers. The laughs are especially grand for the children who are mesmerised by both the coy and energetic actions of the shepherd and its adorable dog. It’s the characterisation and gestures they gasp and chortle at most, and then the adults start to come on board.

Your inner child re-emerges, softening your imagination as you begin to giggle at the simpler comedic moments. The narrative is however, rich with key historical events such the World Wars intertwined using simple imagery. Messages of the corrupting nature of power hit the adults deepest, especially when the Nazi sympathising ‘Vichyssoise’ leader puppet is ousted at the Second War’s end.

The children too absorb key points such as good versus evil from this tale firmly rooted in French history and land. Visually, the natural materials on stage also add to an atmosphere similar to the 1950s era of the original story. Many of the images, sounds and smells (yes, legal natural essences are involved) stay with you after the show. ‘Finalement’ Richard and Rick respond so interactively with the youthful bunch of the audience, to prove that working with children is no hand full, well for them at least!.