The Man Who Planted Trees Fringe 2013 Media Release
THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES – MEDIA RELEASE – FRINGE 2013
Tue 30 Jul – Fri 16 Aug 3pm £10/£7.50
Scottish Storytelling Centre, Venue 30, 43-45 Royal Mile
Box office: 0131 556 9579
For adults and children 7+
Puppet State Theatre Company celebrated their 7th anniversary of touring this show in May 2013 after a 7-week, 52 date tour of New Zealand and Australia. 2013 will be the company’s seventh Fringe run with this production.
Having toured extensively in schools and rural venues across the UK since 2006 the company has for the last few years performed mainly overseas, including repeat runs at the Sydney Opera House and New York’s Lincoln Center Institute. After this Fringe run, the show goes to London’s Southbank Centre for their Festival of Neighbourhood.
The story, based on a novel by Jean Giono, is about a shepherd who sets out to plant a forest and transform a barren landscape, accompanied by his faithful dog. Multisensory elements allow the audience to hear the wind, feel the rain and smell the lavender in a unique blend of comedy, puppetry and storytelling. The partly improvised nature of the comic scenes means that no two shows are alike. Richard Medrington and Rick Conte (the puppeteer behind ‘Dog’) created the show with artist Ailie Cohen, and have managed to keep things fresh despite having performed together around 1,500 times.
This family show for adults and children over 7 has the rare ability to appeal right across the age range and can also keep hardened theatre technicians tuned in for new revelations from the dog. Adults unaccompanied by children are very welcome.
“IT IS VERY, very rare to find something that appeals as effortlessly to children and adults as this magical show.”
Scotsman *****
“As well as its clever presentation, I would give it five stars for side-splitting comedy as a highlight of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.”
“Laughs, heartbreak, war, regeneration, scented breezes, sparkling wit, the best dog puppet ever. Perfect for children and grown-ups. Terrific”
Notes for Editors
a) 10,500 people saw The Man Who Planted Trees during the 7-week tour of New Zealand and Australia.
b) 500 people in New South Wales watched the show remotely – some 700 miles away – during Sydney Opera House’s first ever livestream to multiple locations.
c) 2010 & 2013 touring in the Netherlands, New Zealand and Australia was supported by Creative Scotland, following inclusion in the first Made in Scotland Fringe showcase in 2009.
d) The cast performed a French adaptation of the show at the Charleville-Mézières World Puppet Festival in 2011 and in Montreal in 2012.
e) This will be Richard Medrington’s 18th Fringe as a puppeteer.
Awards:
1) Eco Prize for Creativity, 2007
2) Total Theatre Award for Story Theatre, 2008
3) Victor Award IPAY (International Performing Arts for Youth) Showcase, Cleveland Ohio, 2009
4) Best Children’s Show at Brighton Fringe, 2009
5) Manchester Evening News Theatre Award for Best Studio Performance, 2009
6) Highest rated and reviewed show of the 2012 Edinburgh Festivals at Tickit.me
7) Winner of the 2012 CSPA Sustainable Production at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
More reviews: https://www.puppetstate.com/reviews/
Images: https://www.puppetstate.com/shows/the-man-who-planted-trees/downloads/
For further information, images, photo opportunities and interviews, please contact:
Elspeth Murray
07595 930624
0131 441 9693
Twitter: @PuppetStateThtr