based on ‘The Man Who Planted Trees’ by Jean Giono

Produced by Fresco Theatre and Tweeling Produksies

Devised by the company

Directed by Jaci Smith

Performed by James Cuningham, Gys de Villiers, Helen Iskander and Rob van Vuuren

With the success of Suig under their belt, Jaci Smith and Gys De Villiers joined with Fresco Theatre’s James Cuningham and Helen Iskander to devise Wood For the Trees. The four multi-award winning artists were commissioned by The National Arts Festival, combining their talents for the first time to create an exciting new ensemble piece based on Jean Giono’s short story ‘The Man Who Planted Trees’ for the Main Festival Programme in 2005. Using mime, soundscapes, shadow puppetry as well as original sculptures by Gys De Villiers, Wood For the Trees tells the story of how one person can make a giant difference in the world we live in by even the smallest of everyday gestures. It is a tale of human potential, of dedication and transformation, told in a simple visual poetry.

“In Giono’s work what every sensitive, full blooded individual ought to be able to recognise at once is ‘the song of the world’ ” Henry Miller

First performed at The National Arts Festival, July 2005

Wood for the Trees was also commissioned to perform at The Aardklop Festival in Potchefstroom. For this, the show was translated into Afrikaans, and performed as Bosryk. Anel Alexander replaced Helen Iskander for these performances.