The festive period is here and there are so many shows that are available for audiences to go and watch! Over the next few weeks, we will be talking to lots of different shows and performers about what they have in store for this time of year! Today we find out all about The Fir Tree from Samuel Heron. The show is performing between the 12th-31st December at the Artsdepot in London.

Hello – tell us a little bit about yourself!

My name is Samuel Heron. I’m an actor and musician.  

What is the show that you are bringing to the stage in this Festive season?

I’m appearing in The Fir Tree (a new adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale), at artsdepot this Christmas. The piece is created by How It Ended theatre company, and we’re having great fun!

Tell us all about the character that you play?

I play many characters! I’ll name a few – there’s the Hare, the Robin, a mouse, Bethany (a little kid, who is very excited about Christmas!) and many others!

Will there be a bit of festivity in your show?

No… there will be A LOT of festivity in the show! Haha! The Fir Tree is all about bringing the joy of Christmas to everyone, as well as what it means to grow up and the importance of enjoying the journey along the way. 

What are your favourite things about the festive season and why?

Probably the people you get to see, and how it makes you feel. Christmas music holds a special place in my heart. But most importantly, the food! I love a Christmas dinner!

This time of year, the venues tend to be a bit busier as well – do you find that the audience changes at all?

Yes definitely, audiences are lot livelier at Christmas. There’s a feeling in the air that everyone is coming together and want to celebrate. I’ve known audiences to be quite raucous at Christmas, but as long as it stays safe everyone’s up for a bit of that!

What advice would you give for people performing around the festive season?

Keep hydrated, keep having things that contain Vitamin C!  Also be kind to one another and listen to each other, because it can get busy and it can get tough, so get your rest when you can and look after each other. 

What is the best thing about a night at your show for the audience?

You’ll see beautiful imagery, you’ll hear amazing live music, you’ll see fantastic characters brought to life through puppets. And foley sounds – which, I don’t know of any other Christmas production that is using foley sounds in London this year! 

If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social media?

@samuel_heron

@how_it_ended

@artsdepot_ldn

And Finally in three words – Why should people come and see the show?

Fir-ry, Festive, Fun!