The Forest of Songs

Theatre

The Forest of Sounds is a musical-puppet fairytale for children. It is a "sound forest" theatre, where forest plants, tree branches, roots, and forest fruits become musical instruments, puppets, or elements of the stage set.

4+, 40'

Concept, directed and music by Peter Kus
Text by Ajda Rooss (inspired by stories by Sergey Kozlov)
Art design by Kaja Avberšek
Costumes by Iztok Hrga
Light design by Borut Bučinel

Performed by Laura Kranjc (alt. Urška Cvetko), Bruno Kontrec, Lola Mlačnik (alt. Gregor Hrovat), Ivan Štrok

Produced by Children's Theatre Dubrava, Glej Theatre, Federacija
Coproduced by Kuskus

DOCUMENTS:
pdf presentation
technical requirements
lighting plan
press photos

FOR EDUCATORS:
materials for educators
preparazione pedagogica
Geschichten aus dem tiefen Wald
Pedagoška priprema (srpski)

LINKS:
Dječje kazalište Dubrava
Glej Theatre
Federacija

Photos by Ivo Hans Avberšek

COMING UP:

Mar. 12, 2026 at 9:00 a.m., Cultural Center Semič (Slovenia) – FOR SCHOOLS
Mar. 17, 2026 at 5:00 p.m., Cultural Center Škocjan (Slovenia) – BOX OFFICE AND SEASON TICKETS
Apr. 4, 2026 at 9.00 and 10.30 a.m., Postojna Cultural Center (Slovenia) – FOR KINDERGARTENS AND SCHOOLS
Apr. 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., Center Zalog, Ljubljana (Slovenia) – 200th PERFORMANCE
Apr. 9, 2026, at 9:00 and 10.30 a.m., Center Zalog, Ljubljana (Slovenia) – KINDERGARTEN PERFORMANCES
Jun. 20, 2026 at 7:00 p.m., Croatian National Theater, Šibenik (Croatia) – INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL

PRESS REVIEWS:

»…the show is a true blend of music, art, and the charm of youthful performers, and therefore must be both watched and listened to carefully. This is the magic of theatrical art.” Mira Muhoberac, Vijenac (Croatia)

»Exceptional art design and beautiful sound, combined with outstanding artistry, transport us beyond the ordinary and require active engagement from the young audience. Ultimately, this effort is rewarded with the joy of understanding and the satisfaction of experience.« Iva Gruić, Kazalište (Croatia)

»The show enchanted the audience with its imagination, inspired by a forest-themed stage set and its inhabitants, who journeyed through adventures across all four seasons. Under the direction of Peter Kus, the entire stage of this musical and puppet theatre transformed into the forest home of a bear and a hedgehog. His performances captivate with magical imagery and sound, humor, refined sensitivity, and a abundance of ideas. Actors Andrea Giordani, Bruno Kontrec, Gregor Hrovat, and Ivan Štrok impressed with their rich musical talent and great enthusiasm for stage performance.« Sophia Juen, Vorarlberg Online (Austria)

»Forrest of Songs is an enchanting theatre experience that brings, with the help of theatrical instead of pedagogical means, nature to children and children to nature. … Four musicians play and animate puppets – instruments on such a skillful level that the child and adult audience can experience rare freedom of talent. … Musical and artistic beauty and incredible imagination in the construction of the instruments and recreating nature is enough to take a breath away and inspire the soul.« Mina Petrić, Bilten 27. Festivala ekološkog pozorišta (Srbija)

ABOUT THE SHOW:

The central idea of the performance is the creation of a sonic forest theatre, built from natural materials found in the woods. In this space, plants, trees, fruits, and other forest elements come to life as musical instruments, puppets, and scenographic components.

The main narrative thread of the performance follows the tale of a hedgehog and his best friend, a bear. It is based on a series of children’s stories by Russian author Sergei Kozlov (1940–2010). Living in the forest, the hedgehog and the bear explore their surroundings together. They encounter other animals, observe nature, and witness the seasonal changes within their woodland home. Through their relationship, the stories explore themes such as friendship, trust, loneliness, tolerance, sensitivity, wonder at the world around them, and the joy of life. Together with the hedgehog and the bear, children embark on an emotional journey through the lessons of life—its challenges, mysteries, and delights.

PAST INTERNATIONAL APPEARANCES, FESTIVALS, AND AWARDS:

Dr. Franjo Tuđman Cultural Centre, Veliko Trgovišće (Croatia), October 9, 2025
Figurentheater Festival, Wels, March 20, 2025
19th Ogulin Festival of Fairytales, September 9, 2024
ASSITEJ Artistic Gathering 2023 (Turning Point), Novi Sad (Serbia), November 21, 2023,
Cikl Cakl, Sankt Michael ob Bleiburg (Austria), October 18, 2023,
22. International festival of theater for children, Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina), October 11, 2023 – best music, grand prix for best performance of the festival,
Pozorište Zvezdariše, Beograd (Serbia), September 29, 2023 – award for creation and animation of puppets,
International Festival for Children’s Theatre „Igor Madzirov“, Skopje (North Macedonia), September 28, 2023 – best music, best stage set design,
International Theatre Festival Walizka, Łomża (Poljska), June 3, 2023 – best music award, best performance by audience award
Sommertraumhafen Festival, Eibiswald (Austria), May 6, 2023
Teatro Miela, Trieste (Italy), February 19,2023
27th Festival of Ecological Theater, Bačka Palanka (Serbia), 2021 – expert jury award for best overall performance, children’s jury award for best show
Plesni zbirkus, Rijeka (Croatia), 2020
Trallallero, Artegna (Italy), 2019
30th Summer Puppet Pier, Maribor (Slovenia), 2019
Summer in Dubrava, 2018, Zagreb (Croatia)
Internationale Puppentheatertage, 2017, Mistelbach (Austria)
18. Lutfest, 2017, East Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – award for best original idea „Lutkobaz“ Marko Kovačević (Peter Kus), award “magic of puppetry Radoslav Lazić”, award for best stage set design (Kaja Avberšek), award for best music (Peter Kus), award for best performance by the children’s jury
Internationales Storytelling Festival, 2017, Irdning, Graz, Bad Schönau (Austria)
21st Revue of Puppet Theaters, 2016, Rijeka (Croatia)
Pannopticum, 2016, Neusiedl am See (Austria)
Sommertraumhafen, 2016, Wies (Austria)
Luaga und losna, 2015, Feldkirch (Austria)
Špancirfest, 2015, Varaždin (Croatia)
Kotor Festival of Children’s Theater, 2015, Kotor (Montenegro)
Fantasima, 2015, Lienz (Austria)
Cikl Cakl, 2013, Bleiburg (Austrija)
International Festival of Children’s Theatres, Subotica (Serbia), 2013 – award for best music
SLUK Festival, Osijek (Croatia), 2013 – award for innovation in pupperty
Beavers, 2013, Ljubljna (Slovenia)
Assitej Croatia Meeting, Čakovec (Croatia), 2012 – best set and musical instruments design, best music and best light design
Prelet Festival, Ljubljana (Slovenia), 2012