We sat down with Eva Sampson, director and Co-Founder of How It Ended, about her inclusive approach to family theatre, and the importance of making theatre feel as accessible in all senses to diverse audiences.
The Fir Tree will fuse puppetry, live music and vibrant visuals for all to enjoy, where all lighting and sound will be programmed sensitively so there are no sudden, flashing lights or sudden loud sound effects.
12-31st December, ArtsDepot Barnet: https://www.artsdepot.co.uk/event/the-fir-tree/
- The Fir Tree marks the 180th anniversary of Hans Christian Andersen’s tale. How did you approach adapting such a beloved story for a modern, family audience, and what new elements did you bring to connect with contemporary themes?
Great stories are timeless, and The Fir Tree’s themes really are as relevant today as they were in 1844. The story’s key message is to live every day to the fullest and to take the time to embrace the present moment – which I think we can all agree, can be a struggle sometimes! It’s so easy for all of us to become swept up in thoughts of the future. Little ones are often in a hurry to ‘grow up’ and us adults can also be preoccupied with whatever we perceive to be the next key milestone of life; we can get trapped in “When ‘this thing happens’ then I’ll feel content…” but as we know, life doesn’t always work that way! The Fir Tree doesn’t tend to get as much attention as some of Hans Christian Andersen’s other tales, but it’s such a beautiful story that really deserves limelight this Christmas.
- This production uses live music, foley sound effects, and puppetry. How do these creative elements enhance the storytelling, and what do you hope they will bring to the audience experience?
Music and puppetry have been central to how we’ve told stories for families, and creating work that’s visually impactful. On The Fir Tree, I’m delighted to be working with a brilliant creative team, including composer, Ellie Isherwood who has written beautiful songs that really elevate the storytelling. And our puppet designer and maker Annie Brooks, has created magical puppets that bring the forest to life, with such character and playfulness. Working with foley sound effects is a new element for us to explore and we’re proud to be working with Foley Artist Tom Espiner, who is an expert in the field. The nature of foley is that it’s very ‘present’ – particularly when syncing the sounds with the puppetry, so it really serves our central theme, and our audience can see our workings throughout the show, so hopefully everyone feels part of the storytelling.
- The Fir Tree’s story emphasizes the importance of living in the present and valuing friendship. How do you think these themes resonate with children and adults alike, especially during the holiday season?
Staying truly present is a challenge for all of us and what’s so wonderful about Christmas is that it brings us all together and we can take the opportunity to pause and reflect. The Fir Tree really highlights the importance of celebrating the little things and savouring valued friendship – it’s so easy to sometimes take these things for granted. Telling stories at Christmastime is also a chance for people to connect, for adults to tap into our inner child, and for children to embrace all the magic of the festive season.
- With performances tailored for neurodiverse audiences, The Fir Tree is designed to be accessible and sensory-friendly. Can you tell us more about the sensory adaptations and why it was important to make this show inclusive?
The show has been designed for everyone to enjoy, and we’ve approached the storytelling in the exact same way we would any production. But when setting levels particularly technically with Lighting and Sound, we’re programming these sensitively with neurodiverse audiences in mind. So, there are no sudden, flashing lights or sudden loud sound effects. During the show the lights will never go completely out, and the audience can leave the auditorium at any time. We want our audiences to feel relaxed and they’re free to move around the auditorium if they’d like to and make noise!
We know that going to the theatre can sometimes feel like a stressful experience and we’re passionate about making work that feels as inclusive and accessible as possible. We believe all producers of family theatre should consider creating a relaxed environment for their audiences this festive season, and with only a few adjustments and considerations, we can share the magic of theatre in a safe space.
- The themes of environmental responsibility and mental well-being are woven throughout the play. How does the story of the little fir tree bring these messages to life, and what impact do you hope it will have on audiences of all ages?
The show will certainly promote that trees are for life and not just for Christmas. Trees give us so much and they deserve our respect. We want families to leave the show with either a newfound admiration for trees or perhaps deepen a connection that’s already there. The Fir Tree also highlights the importance of mindfulness, to really inhabit the present moment. We want our audiences to feel safe to explore with us the full spectrum of emotions within the story and ultimately to feel that they have experienced a beautiful piece of life-affirming theatre.