Ben's Canoe …a charming tale…offers children and their parents the discovery of an America different from the "fast-food" version (known in France).
------ Dauphiné Libéré, Avignon, Nov. 11, 1999

…the wonderful show : Ben's Canoe…Music…puppets, cranking theater, scenic ideas …delighted the young audience who knew when to participate and when to listen quietly. A moment of poetry to the sound of traditional Appalachian music and songs that leaves the beaten trails and brings the children into a universe of tenderness, great beauty and human warmth.
----- Dauphiné Libéré, Villeneuve-De-Berg, Dec. 9, 1999

This funny and passionate story contains all that's needed to seduce the adults as well as the children…. The artists pass with ease from one role to another, taking turns as story-tellers, actors, musicians and puppeteers. Children are reputed to be a difficult audience, but the attention with which the 120 Saillans students followed the adventures of Ben proved without a doubt that they enjoyed this show.
----- Dauphiné Libéré, Saillans, Dec. 21, 2000

...and puppets, there are plenty of them in this show : first Ben, the young hero, and then all of the animals...magnificent conceptions...and animated with lots of humor and realism...thus, a "total" show...not to mention the participation of the children : the secret of good story-tellers...
----- LaTribune, Grignan, May 9, 2002

Thanks for a great performance.
----- RE'AL CROCHE Country Music Festival , Réalmont, July 21, 2004

Many thanks for this show about which we have only heard compliments.
----- Associaion Les Bélins Bélines, St. Laurent d'Agny, Nov. 25, 2006

A show that's really for all audiences. With few words, the story unfolds, and in the Italian version, the occasional French phrases add charm to the text which is both delicate and adventurous... The animals in the forest are likeable... a moment of high musicality, in which the relation between the parents (the actors and musicians Valerie et Polo) and little Ben, is acheived with tenderness and conscience.
----- S. Oberholzer, director of the festival "Il Castello Incantato", Locarno, Switzerland, August 27, 2008

The puppeteer/musicians of "Ben's Canoe" have mastered the magic art of affecting an audience between 2 and 92 years of age. Ben's journey is both physical and spiritual. He learns from the Native Indians, from the wild animals and from his parents that he doesn't need to catch a "million fish" and that human values and the natural environment need not be at odds. The cranking theatre, the virtuousity of the music and the sensibility behind the puppeteering all make this a quality show that will enhance any festival or booking venue !
----- Dr. Malcolm Knight, director of the "Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre", Glasgow, Scotland, October 8, 2008

The adults enjoyed "Ben's Canoe" as much as the children, among whom even the youngest were captivated. The music that's present throughout the show is very enjoyable.
------ Gluiras International Arts Festival , October 31, 2009

Covering the festival Awaranda for the Saône et Loire magazine, I was able to see, among a dense crowd of children and adults, your friendly show "Ben's Canoé". The puppet Ben is totally moving and the story is enjoyable, full of originality and great ideas.
------Festival AWARANDA, Iguerande, September 11, 2010

... what a surprise this Sunday morning, to be immersed in the story of Ben's Canoe, retracing the sailing of the English immigrants to the New World and to rediscover the child in me marvelling at this adventure (yes, at 56 years old, one can forget 50 of them) All is said through this story, as well as that to which we need to dedicate ourselves today. I hear, once again, my old Scout leaders telling this sort of story around the campfire. And I'm happy.
------Gibson Hall, Berre-l'Etang, September 19, 2010

Teachers and students

All of the students were captivated by Ben's story. They loved the songs, the instrumentals, the puppets and the set. The combination of all these techniques create a presentation of high quality, joyful, lively and in very good taste.
Bravo to the 2 artists !
-----Elementry school Jean XXIII, Chambéry, Dec. 13, 1999

Carefully prepared, efficiant, tonic
-----Elementary school, Cruas (07), Nov. 2000
Very beautiful - the children were mesmerized.
-----Elementary school, Beauchastel (07), Nov. 2000
Beautiful production, a story told using various elements. A successful show with lots of humor.
-----Elementary school, Banne (07), Nov. 2000

Letter: To La Compagnie du Beau Sauvage,
Our whole class thanks you for your beautiful show : Ben's Canoe. We loved little Ben, his daddy who played violin, and his mommy who played guitar. When Ben was happy, the music was lively. When Ben was sad, the music was sweeter. The animals were nice too. We discovered the brown bear, the racoon the otters , the moose and the fish… who moved in front of the images that turned.
Bravo for this beautiful story! Now we're going to situate it on a map.
Thanks again from our whole class.
-----grades 1 and 2 of the elementary school, Châteauneuf Sur Isère (26) Jan. 10, 2000

Rich show, lively, attractive, that captivated the children from pre-school to 5th grade. We appreciated the tie-ins with various subjects : ( geography, American history, music, English, sciences /ecology )
The quality of the music, the set / "cranking theater", and the beauty of the puppets aroused a general enthousiasm. Bravo !
----- Elementary school Notre Dame de la Salette, Chambery, Jan. 9, 2001

letter : for the musicians of the show

We really liked Ben's Canoe.
The set was magnificent and very well done, especially the paintings that rolled by.
The story was very interesting and the music made us feel like dancing.
Our favorite moments were :
- when Ben said the tree looked like his grandmother's butt.
- when water splashed out.
- when Ben said "Please, please… "
- whenever there were animals.
Actually, we liked everything !
---The students of la Condamine

It was captivating for everybody. Thanks and bravo !
---The director
-------Elementary school at Condamine-Châtelard (04), Dec. 21, 2001