THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES

PUPPET STATE THEATRE COMPANY (SCOTLAND)

Sat 9 Mar, 2013

Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall

AGES 7+

A funny and captivating theatre show for children and adults alike opens at Auckland Town Hall's Concert Chamber on 9 March in the Auckland Arts Festival 2013. The Man Who Planted Trees, the brainchild of Scotland's innovative Puppet State Theatre Company, is a delightful and exquisitely-executed production based on French author Jean Giono's environmental cult classic about the difference one person can make to the world.

Elzéard Bouffier is a shepherd who, accompanied by his faithful dog, sets out amidst the ravages of war to cultivate a forest and transform a barren landscape. Bouffier lives a solitary life and devotes much of his time to planting trees, acorn by acorn, throughout the countryside. Over the years, his efforts produce a thriving forest across one French region and change it for the better. The multi-sensory story is told with delightful handmade puppets, dynamic storytelling, choreography, wind that really blows, rain that gets you wet and the real fresh-lavender smell of the French countryside.

Of the original 1953 classic tale, author Jean Giono said, "I wrote this story to make people love trees, or more precisely to make people love planting trees. Of all my stories it is one of the ones of which I am most proud."

The work, which asks every audience member to consider the impact their actions have on others and the environment, has resonated across the world and seen Puppet State Theatre Company receive multiple accolades. These include the Eco Trust's Eco Prize for Creativity 2007, the Manchester Evening News Theatre Award 2009, Best Studio Production and Best Children's Show at the 2009 Brighton Fringe Festival, the Victor Award at the 2009 IPAY Showcase in Ohio, and numerous sell-out performances.

Edinburgh's Puppet State Theatre Company was founded by Richard Medrington. After performing his one-man puppet shows for 20 years he joined forces with puppeteer Rick Conte and puppeteer/maker Ailie Cohen in 2006. The Man Who Planted Trees has been performed over a thousand times since opening in 2006, in venues from tents on windswept hillsides, tiny village halls on remote Scottish islands, to the Lincoln Center Institute and the Sydney Opera House.

Playwright, performer and storyteller Richard Medrington found his calling as a puppeteer in 1983. His one-man shows include The Spider of Spindle Wood, The Interrogation, The Adventures of Ivan the Slug and AA Milne's Winnie the Pooh, which toured the UK for five years to packed houses and culminated in a sell-out run at the Royal National Theatre in London. He moved to Edinburgh in 1992 and is a veteran of 15 Edinburgh Festival Fringes. He founded Puppet State Theatre Company in 2003 and his collaboration with Rick, Ailie and Elspeth began soon after that.

Rick Conte has worked with The National Theatre of Scotland, Wee Stories, The Edinburgh Puppet Company and Catherine Wheels. Using one of his puppet creations, Lord Dennis Tippleworthy, Rick has addressed the European Conference on Alcohol Policy in Helsinki, Leiden and Warsaw. He and Richard have been touring with The Man Who Planted Trees since May 2006. He plans on doing so until everyone has seen it.

As well as two public shows, The Man Who Planted Trees will perform six special performances for schools as part of Auckland Arts Festival's Smartsfest Schools Programme. For more information, visit aaf.co.nz/forschools

It is very, very rare to find something at appeals as effortlessly to children and adults as this magical show - The Scotsman

Laughs, heartbreak, war, regeneration, scented breezes, sparkling wit, the best dog puppet ever. Perfect for children and grown-ups. Terrific - Guardian

I've never laughed so much in my life. - Roger, aged 8

www.aaf.co.nz

SEASON DETAILS

Show The Man Who Planted Trees

Where Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall

When Sat 9 Mar at 10.30am & 1.30pm

Duration 1hr

Age Suitable for adults and children ages 7+

Price GA Adult $20 / GA Child $12

Bookings Book at THE EDGE: buytickets.co.nz/09 357 3355 / 0800 289 842

Information www.aaf.co.nz

Social Media Facebook: facebook.com/Aklfestival

Media enquiries Siobhan Waterhouse, Publicist. P: +64 (0)9 374 0317 | M: +64 (0) 22 126  4149 | E: siobhan.waterhouse@aucklandfestival.co.nz

CREATIVE CREDITS

Adapted from Jean Giono's story by: Ailie Cohen, Richard Medrington, Rick Conte

Director: Ailie Cohen

Performers: Rick Conte and Richard Medrington

Set and puppet design: Ailie Cohen

Lighting design: Elspeth Murray

Sound design: Barney Strachan

With support from Creative Scotland