My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES Puppet Show Set for Melbourne International Comedy Festival, April 10-14

By:

Direct from Scotland, The Man Who Planted Trees is a hilarious and heart-warming tale about the difference one man and his dog can make. Returning to Arts Centre Melbourne as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from Wednesday 10 - Sunday 14 April, The Man Who Planted Trees is a puppet show with side-splitting Punch and Judy-style characters and a strong environmental message from Scotland's Puppet State Theatre Company.

A captivating adaptation of Jean Giono's classic environmental tale L'homme Qui Plantait Des Arbres, this is the story of a shepherd, his dog, and their mission to transform a barren land into a beautiful forest, acorn by acorn. Hear the wind, feel the rain and smell the lavender in this multi-sensory theatrical production. An engaging mix of storytelling, comedy and puppetry, The Man Who Planted Trees is an inspiring show suitable for families and kids aged 7+.

Puppet State Theatre Company, based in Edinburgh, was founded by puppeteer Richard Medrington. After performing his one-man puppet shows for 20 years he joined forces with fellow puppeteer Rick Conte and puppet-maker Ailie Cohen in 2006. Their first collaboration The Man Who Planted Trees has toured to schools, village halls, theatres and festivals across the United Kingdom and Ireland as well as in Malaysia, Bermuda, the Netherlands, USA, Canada and Australia, including performances off Broadway at the iconic New Victory Theatre.

Arts Centre Melbourne presents, in partnership with Sydney Opera House and Castlemaine State Festival, The Man Who Planted Trees, adapted and performed by Richard Medrington and Rick Conte. Set and puppet design by Ailie Cohen.

Performances take place at Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio, 2pm Wednesday 10 - Sunday 14 April. Tickets: $18 / $16 Groups 4+.

Australian Tour Dates:

Sydney Opera House, Studio
Tuesday 2 - Friday 5 April

Phee Broadway Theatre, Castlemaine
Friday 22 and Saturday 23 March

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Choreography - Top 3
1. Christopher Gattelli - Schmigadoon!
19.4% of votes
2. Lauren Yalango-Grant, Christopher Cree Grant - The Lost Boys
17.4% of votes
3. Lorin Latarro - Chess
17.4% of votes

Don't Miss a Australia - Melbourne News Story
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett in Australia - Melbourne Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett
Meat Market (4/17-6/07)
Still Classy: Ten Years of A Class Act in Australia - Melbourne Still Classy: Ten Years of A Class Act
The Motley Bauhaus (6/27-6/27)
Encore! Songs from the Musicals in Australia - Melbourne Encore! Songs from the Musicals
Regent Theatre (5/28-5/30)
Family Fiesta heads to the Forest in 2026! in Australia - Melbourne Family Fiesta heads to the Forest in 2026!
The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts (7/01-7/04)
Ambition and the Aftermath in Australia - Melbourne Ambition and the Aftermath
The University of Melbourne (7/02-7/02)
Viva La Dirt League in Australia - Melbourne Viva La Dirt League
Palais Theatre (6/07-6/07)
Inner Landscapes  in Australia - Melbourne Inner Landscapes
Melbourne Recital Hall (7/13-7/13)
Play In A Day: Volpone, Or, The Fox in Australia - Melbourne Play In A Day: Volpone, Or, The Fox
The University of Melbourne (11/18-11/18)
In Shadows (Dalam Bayang-Bayang) in Australia - Melbourne In Shadows (Dalam Bayang-Bayang)
Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre (6/24-6/28)
Scandal in Australia - Melbourne Scandal
Viva Melbourne (5/01-4/25) PHOTOS