This beautiful theatrical adaptation of Jean Giono’s environmental classic tells the inspiring story of a shepherd who plants a forest acorn by acorn, thereby transforming a barren wasteland. As much a touching tale as a hilarious puppet show, The Man Who Planted Trees shows us the difference that one man (and his dog!) can make to the world.

In 1957 the author Jean Giono said: ‘I wrote this story to make people love trees, or more precisely to make people love planting trees. Of all my stories it is one of the ones of which I am most proud. It has never earned me a penny and for that reason it has accomplished the very purpose for which it was written.’

Much more than a story about planting trees, The Man Who Planted Trees is a wonderful parable of life, the tale of a human being who saw a need and decided not to ignore it, but to ‘put things right’. The story is also known as The Man Who Planted Hope and Reaped Happiness and it holds a vital message for our time. Perhaps we all have a supply of special seeds hidden away for a better future …

This exceptional performance is brought to us by Scotland’s renowned Puppet State Theatre Company and is destined to be a sell-out highlight of the 2013 Castlemaine State Festival.

Adapted from Jean Giono’s story by Ailie Cohen, Richard Medrington and Rick Conte
Directed by Ailie Cohen
Performed by Richard Medrington (Jean) and Rick Conte (Jean’s colleague)
Set and Puppet Design by Ailie Cohen
Lighting Design by Elspeth Murray
Sound Design by Barney Strachan

Music
Canarios by Johannes Kapsberger, performed by Orphénica Lyra, directed by José Miguel Moreno
From Música en el Quijote on the Glossa label
Terre by Charles Trénet
From A Portrait of Charles Trénet
Music Collection International

Best Children’s Show 2009 Brighton Fringe Festival (UK)
Victor Award Winner at the 2009 IPAY Showcase, Cleveland, Ohio (USA)
Highest rated and reviewed show of the 2012 Edinburgh Festivals at Tickit.me (UK)
Winner of the 2012 CSPA Sustainable Production at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (UK)

‘It is very, very rare to find something that appeals as effortlessly to children and adults as this magical show…’
THE SCOTSMAN, 5 stars