Deep in the forest, stood a charming little Fir Tree who longed for excitement and couldn't wait to grow up! But little does the Fir Tree know, a glorious festive adventure awaits, and they’ll learn lessons that are important for us all. How It Ended presents an innovative re-telling of this seasonal tale, fusing music, live foley sound effects, and puppetry. 

Each of these aspects are executed brilliantly, with the small cast of 3 playing nearly 10 instruments between them while singing and managing all their own props simultaneously. Samuel Heron stands out hugely in each of these elements, and seems to have boundless energy about him with a real passion for the craft. The same can be said for his co-performers, with Loren O'Dair’s beautiful voice filling the space like a lullaby and Denzel Baidoo’s smile just as radiant. 

The plot itself is not an original work, as this adaptation stays faithful to the original story by Hans Christian Andersen. Teresa Burns, however, has taken this book and turned it into a wonderful, hour-long performance with adapted sensory provisions. This means that there are accommodations integrated into the production so as many people as possible can attend and enjoy, especially those who are neurodivergent, epileptic, or learning disabled. The script does not feature audio description, however Eva Sampson has directed the piece in such a way that those with any visual impairments can follow along just as well. 

Ryan Dawson-Laight has truly captured the meaning of ‘less is more’ in both his set and costume design. These are simple, effective, and are successfully stimulating without causing overwhelm. Nicola Crawford has achieved a similar feat with her lighting design that transports us through scenes and seasons seamlessly. 

It's important to note that this is not a fun family fairytale, but instead a poignant introduction to some serious themes such as loneliness and themes of death. It is refreshing to see companies leaning in to these very real experiences and handling them in a sensitive, child-friendly way to focus on celebrating life rather than loss. 

It's easy to get swept up in the Christmas rush at this time of year, but shows like this one keep us grounded - reminding us of the enduring power of friendship, the legacy of great stories, and the importance of being present in the moment.