Once Upon a Time

Theatre Porto

Once Upon a Time was a growing, collaborative installation that transformed a theatre space into an enchanted forest. It began with 670 lengths of string suspended from the ceiling, waiting to be filled. Throughout the week, visitors were invited to create delicate leaves from tracing paper and oil pastels, then pin them to the strings. As more leaves appeared, the space gradually blossomed into a shimmering, storybook woodland.

A beautiful original score by composer Patrick Dineen accompanied the transformation, weaving together musical echoes of classic fairytales.

I hosted the experience in character as the Keeper of the Forest – a slightly mysterious, storytelling figure who welcomed children and families, guided them in making their leaves, and spun curious tales about the magical creatures hiding deep within the trees.