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The Man Who Planted Trees
The Man Who Planted Trees
Scottish Storytelling Centre, Odd days until the 29 August
by Fiona Gosling
Performing and touring the same show year after year gives companies the chance to perfect and refine it, but it also means they run the risk of getting too comfortable. The Puppet State Theatre Company have been touring The Man Who Planted Trees, based on the short story by Jean Giono, for fourteen years. Set in the first half of the 20th century, we meet Elzeard Bouffier: a man who plants 100 trees in the morning and 100 trees in the afternoon every, all to build a beautiful forest in the baren French countryside.
But we actually see very little of the titular Elzeard. The first fifteen minutes of the performance are taken up by a bland back-and-forth comedy routine. The story itself, when it does begin, is a tale about doing good by your environment in spite of whatever challenges you face. It is a worthy theme that has only become more relevant with time, but it is overshadowed by the historical and political events that occur around it. The idea of a forest continuing to grow in spite of attempts to chop it down for tank fuel is inspiring, but it has no need to go as far as including a flag adorned with a swastika made of tree branches.
But that is part of the problem; this is a show that does not know its audience. It has sensory elements which appeal mostly to children, for example spraying water to imitate rain and wafting lavender. But almost every joke appeals more to adults than children, requiring vocabulary that most 6-12-year-olds won’t understand. The puppets themselves are delightful; Elzeard has an endearingly worn appearance that suits the character, and the dangling sheep flock and flying bird puppets are pleasing while they last. The only one that falls short is the comedic-relief dog who rather outstays his welcome. This is a performance that has lost its way; it almost manages to strike that tone of wholesome storytelling for children with powerful subtext for adults but fails to maintain a balance between the two.
Three stars.
