Ever After

I arrived at the Station Theatre not really knowing what to expect from Ever After, which was written and directed by HIADS’ members James Wood and Chloe Hearne. It’s a great concept: a father helping his three girls cope with the loss of their mother by reading some traditional (pre-Disney) fairy tales as bedtime stories. Initially he is terrified, but they gradually open up to him over the course of a week, because he lets the children choose who they want to play each part. This leads to some gloriously inappropriate casting, gaping holes in the in the plots become features and, of course, chaos ensues. Into the mix was added some well-chosen songs, but this was a play with music rather than a musical and while the emphasis was on the acting, the big musical numbers were well choreographed and performed.

A lovely box set (designed by James Wood) depicting the children’s bedroom was used throughout with images and film sequences displayed on the back wall to set the scenes. The silent film sequences were touching and well made, with a definite air of “home movies” about them. Costumes too (Linda MacDonald and Kay Hearne) were well matched to the fairytale characters. Lighting by Ian Pratt and Holly Sandford (who also operated the sound) leant a magical atmosphere to the stories.

The huge cast comprised twenty-one adults and children. The younger cast more than held their own with the adults, acquitting themselves well, and although a couple of the smaller voices were hard to hear at times, no microphones were used or needed. Sitting in the back row, we heard pretty much everything. It is impossible to mention everyone individually, but I will pick out a few – please don’t be disappointed if you are not mentioned – the entire cast worked so well together to make this production a success.

Chloe Hearne and James Wood were perfect as Mum and Dad (Nicky and Paul), Ava-Rose Hearne and Tilly-Mae Harris were adorable as the two younger girls Amy and Millie, while Daisey Hearne was delightfully stroppy as older daughter Robyn, and Leo Hearne was nicely cheeky as Twonk. Jack Boulton and Jo McHugh made a great comedy double act Sabian and Fabian, as did Tom Hudson and Jack Smith as Simon and Sebastian. The star for me was Bill Wallage as Jakob Buchmann – a great German accent and wonderful as the smallest goat!

It’s always refreshing to see a new piece of theatre, and Ever After was a very ambitious production to undertake, but the result was a real feelgood show. HIADS, you put every ounce of your talent and energy into this venture and pulled it off with great pizazz. Huge well done!

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