If you go down to the Perthshire woods this May you can be sure of a free family treat as Perth Youth Theatre is bringing eco comedy The Tree to a park near you!
Performed out and about around trees in locations in Perth & Kinross and Angus as part of Scottish Biodiversity Week and supported by Scottish Natural Heritage, The Tree takes a light-hearted look at what would happen if there was only one tree left in the world.
Set on a fictional Island The Tree opens as an artist is settling down to paint the last tree for the national gallery of posterity. Her peace and tranquility is broken by various dubious characters who want to chop the tree down for their own purposes. Throw into the mix a couple of less than bloodthirsty pirates needing wood for a new ship and a greedy banker looking to sell the tree for a profit, the future looks bleak.
However with a little bit of compromise and a pretty pathetic protest from a tree hugging environmentalist the future starts to look a little brighter even if the present does not.
John Glancy who directed the PYT Collective - senior and former members of Perth Youth Theatre - in the production said:
"As a director I think the opportunity to develop an piece of theatre with a green message (especially for young people) that conveys its meaning without becoming preachy or stuck up in its own agenda is very rare. When I add as dynamic and talented a team as I have this makes the whole process great fun and I believe this comes across in the production. It's been a joy and I can't wait to get it outdoors. Let's hope the Scottish weather is as enthusiastic as I am!"
Sandra Penman, Scottish Natural Heritage area officer, said:
"This play is a wonderful way to enjoy nature and have a good laugh at the same time! We have so many wonderful natural areas in Scotland, but it's easy to forget to take the time in our busy lives to get out and enjoy it. This play is a great reminder of how important nature is to all of us."
Scottish Biodiversity Week takes place from 15 to 23 May. For more information on events throughout Scotland, see www.snh.gov.uk/biodiversityweek.
This is an important year for biodiversity, with the United Nations declaring 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB). Scotland may be small, but it has up to 90,000 native species. Its seas are among the most biologically productive in the world, with diverse and stunning wildlife, and beautiful lochs and rivers. Scottish Biodiversity Week is promoted by Scottish Natural Heritage and its partners in the Scottish Biodiversity Forum (SBF).
The Tree is a free event taking place in parks throughout Perth & Kinross and Angus on weekends in May. Details below:
The Tree
by Colin Bradie, directed by John Glancy
Sun 9 May: 2pm Larghan Park, Coupar Angus
Sun 16 May: 2pm North Inch, Perth
Sat 22 May: 2pm Birnam Oak, Birnam
Sat 22 May: 5.30pm Fortingall Yew, Fortingall
Sun 23 May: 12pm Loch Leven Nature Reserve, Kinross
Sun 30 May: 2pm MacRosty Park, Crieff