Get yourself comfy and join us for the next segment of Stagey Chat!

Hi Eva, how are you? Thanks so much for chatting to Stage to Page today! Would you mind introducing yourself and telling our readers how you first got into the theatre industry?

I’m very well thank you! I’m Eva — a theatre director and co-founder of How It Ended theatre company. 

I studied Drama and Theatre Arts at University of Birmingham — which gave me a really strong grounding because you learn about every aspect of theatre making from acting to directing to stage management and production. It gives you a deep respect for everyone’s craft. I then went on to train at National Theatre Studio Director's Course and The Jerwood Assistant Director Programme at the Young Vic. I’m proud to have directed productions for just over a decade, working in new writing, musicals, family work and opera. I love making varied work and don’t believe in putting yourself in a box, I’m always led by the stories I want to tell.

Your adaptation of The Fir Tree is set to open at artsdepot this December. Can you tell us about the story?

The Fir Tree is a story about a little tree who longs to grow up and be big like all the other trees. But little does the Fir Tree know that a glorious festive adventure awaits, and all they need to do is embrace the present and enjoy the now. Something we all can admit to struggling with once in a while! Eventually, it’s not until the end of the Fir Tree’s life that it realises just how wonderful their life truly was - which makes for a poignant, tender but ultimately life-affirming piece of theatre.

All of the performances of The Fir Tree are Sensory Adapted. What changes have you made to make this production accessible for all?

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.

A visual story will also be available to download on artsdepot’s website in advance, and this can be shared with anyone who may want to prepare for the themes and images they may see in the show.

We want our audiences to feel relaxed and they’re free to move around the auditorium if they’d like to, and make noise!

Accessibility is so incredibly important, particularly here at Stage to Page where myself and many of the team are disabled. Why did you make the decision to make this piece of family theatre accessible to all? And will you be doing something similar for future productions?

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. So often, you see productions schedule in only 1-2 sensory adapted (or relaxed) performances during a run, but we’re committed to applying this to all performances because it’s something we’re really passionate about — and why not make theatre as accessible as possible? We certainly plan to continue with this approach for all future How It Ended productions.

A question I ask everyone we chat to - my blog is called Stage to Page. But if you could turn any book, from page to stage, what would it be and why?

Well, I’m thrilled to be working on The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Andersen, especially as this year marks the 180th anniversary of it first being published. And the story’s themes are as relevant today as they were in 1844! The Fir Tree doesn’t tend to get as much attention as some of Hans Christian Andersen’s other stories, but it’s a beautiful tale with an important message and deserves the limelight this Christmas!

But as for other books, I’ve always wanted to do a Greek Tragedy, so maybe that’s next on the horizon!

And finally, why should anyone reading this book tickets to The Fir Tree?

It’s going to be a heart-warming, festive and inventive production for all the family. We can’t wait to welcome you into the forest!

You can book tickets to The Fir Tree, here.

**photo credit: Greta Zabulyte**