Hilda’s Haven is an intimate and heartfelt show about the healing power of nature through a cast of relatable characters. Set at a quirky, underwhelming retreat camp, characters arrive with tick sheets from an enigmatic ‘Mother Nature’, each guiding them toward personal and communal growth. Throughout their time together, they navigate friendships, tensions, and self-discovery, culminating in a stormy climax where nature itself reflects their inner conflict and resolution. This performance will be a showcase of the jazzy, folk, singer-songwriter style music of the show with live singers and live band, inspired by works such as Miranda, Where the Crawdads Sing, Knives out and Hadestown.
Join us for a wholesome evening and an escape into a natural world, through this showcase of original music by Birch & Spice (Betsey Bircumshaw and Mei Spice); a songwriting duo for film, theatre and TV who began collaborating in their final year at the University of Manchester. Their interests in slow living, nature, and wellbeing, brought them together on their first musical project, ‘Hilda’s Haven’. The show first premiered in February this year, in Manchester for a duration of five shows, supported by the University of Manchester's musical theatre society, in which NODA attended.
A review of the show, posted in the Mancunian, featured many positive quotes.
Lui Bing commented, “Hilda’s Haven makes for a touching story of community” (11th of March 2025). “The musical itself acts as a network encouraging every character to overcome difficulties while simultaneously inspiring every audience member and strengthening the bonds between them”.
With hopes to take Hilda’s Haven to The Edinburgh Fringe in 2026, all proceeds will go towards this next project, and we are extremely grateful for any donations made to our musical's future!
Updates on the show can be found on Instagram @hildas.haven.ummts! Keep posted for cast, band and creative team reveals and sneak previews of the show!
