A theater titled ‘Tistou of the Green Thumbs’ is being staged at Tehran’s Honar Hall from February 4 to March 16, based on a bestselling book of the same title by Maurice Druon – the well-known French novelist - published in 1957, and translated by Leili Golestan in 1973.
Although the theater targets children over seven years old, plenty in the audience are below this age, said director Ramin Kohan, ISNA reported.
Noting children’s easy access to information nowadays, he added: “Due to greater knowledge among children, we can convey more concepts in addition to creating funny moments through such performances.”
Live music is also played using lesser-known musical instruments in children-targeted plays, such as piano and percussion.
Considering the anti-war concept of the play, Kohan said: “We have placed an artificial tree outside the hall on which children can attach a leaf-shaped paper containing their thoughts in written or drawn format, depending on their age.” He hopes to send the ‘leaves’ to the UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) “to make the peaceful overtures of Iranian children known to the world.”
‘Tistou of the Green Thumbs’ is the story of an 8-year-old boy who discovers he has a remarkable gift – everything he touches grows into beautiful plants. By using his extraordinary power, magical things happen around him.
It is Druon’s (1918 –2009) only work for children and is considered in France to be a classic on a par with the world-famous ‘The Little Prince’ by Antoine de Saint-Exupery.
