Interview with Ria Ashcroft

Ahead of Take Flight, I caught up with Ria Ashcroft to talk about the themes at the heart of the production, the journey behind it, and what audiences can look forward to when the lights go up.

Take Flight is such a beautifully unique concept. What first sparked the idea for creating a show specifically for babies aged 0–2?

I first thought of the idea to make this show after I had my daughter. I was getting back into training (I'm also an aerialist), she was mesmerised by the lights and the shapes of the aerialists dancing above her. It was like a giant human mobile for her and I thought wow this is so wonderful and wouldn't it be amazing to make an aerial show for babies!

The show combines aerial performance with multi-sensory elements, how did you develop that visual and physical language? 

Through lots of play and exploration with the performers and with different dance and aerial artists too. Having our sessions with the babies in the rehearsal room was really key too, we played with different pieces of equipment and had exploration sessions which were led by the babies interests, play and reactions.

You worked with developmental psychologist Dr Valentina Sclafani, how did that collaboration influence the final piece? 

Valentina’s input was really valuable for the piece, there were lots of things that I knew intuitively made sense and were true around babies development, bonding and play. It was really great to have Valentina’s academic input to develop my understanding of why different types of play were so important & what different things are happening cognitively. I find baby development fascinating, it is a time in our lives where so much is happening so fast in terms of brain development and anyone who’s had any contact with a baby knows how sponge-like they are and how much wonder and fascination there is in every moment. 

As a mother yourself, how much of your own experience fed into the creation of Take Flight?

So much, I think pretty much all of my own experience fed into the show! It was definitely a catalyst for me wanting to make the show.

The relaxed performance aspect is so important. Why was it essential for you to create a space where babies can fully be themselves?

It’s really important to me to create a space where babies can fully express themselves however they want to and also that their grown ups know that that is okay and they both can fully relax and not worry & be themselves too in the space. 

How did co-creating with babies in the rehearsal room actually work in practice?

It was so much fun. I had set up my circus babies class when I had my daughter which was basically my lab for trying out lots of my ideas, sensory explorations and play with babies and their grown ups. As my class was really well established I had a whole community of people I could call on to come into rehearsals and give us feedback on different sections of the show. 

The relationship between the mother and baby bird feels central, what were you exploring through that dynamic?

Being a new parent. The show reflects and captures the chaotic mayhem of the madness and beauty of this time. At times it can be lonely being a new parent and it can feel overwhelming. I wanted the show to feel like a warm hug, a sanctuary for the babies and grown ups, to create a moment of calm, comedy, silliness and bonding. 

The post-show stay-and-play element is such a lovely touch. What do you hope that adds to the experience?

It is a chance for the babies to explore the environment a bit more and to get close to the set and feel the different textures. It’s a gentle ending, with lots of space so babies and their grown ups can have more time in the space if they would like to. 

How do you balance stimulation with calm in a show designed for very young audiences?

There’s moments of gentle interaction where people are encouraged to join in with the story and play with their babies using different sensory props in their own little nests. All the stimulation is very relaxed and is designed to be gentle and playful. 

What has surprised you most when watching babies engage with the performance?

How much they enjoyed playing and how much wonder they have. I love seeing the grown ups playing with their babies and seeing them discovering new things together. 

What has been the biggest challenge in bringing this show to life?

Getting the arts council funding! We applied 4 times!  It is really tough out there right now for small theatre companies. We’ve been going for over 15 years and this is the hardest it has ever been. 

What do you hope both babies and their grown-ups take away from Take Flight?

I hope they have a joyous time and take away some playful silliness that can be recreated time and time again back at home. Play, interaction & communication is so important for all of us but especially babies to grow, learn, develop and make sense of the world. 

A huge thank you to Ria for taking the time to speak with us and for sharing such a thoughtful insight into the creation of Take Flight. It’s a truly special piece that celebrates connection, curiosity and those early moments of discovery, and it’s wonderful to see theatre being created with such care and imagination for the very youngest audiences.

Take Flight is touring around the UK, if you would like more information then please see the tour schedule below:

9 – 10 May | Nottingham Lakeside | lakesidearts.org.uk

14 May | Arts Centre, Washington | artscentrewashington.co.uk

15 May | The Junction, Goole | junctiongoole.co.uk

16 May | Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester | attenborougharts.com |

17 May | The Hub, Lichfield | thehubstmarys.co.uk

21 May | Poplar Union, London | poplarunion.com

23 – 24 May | Z Arts, Manchester | z-arts.org

27 May | Corn Exchange Newbury | cornexchangenew.com

28 May | Farnham Maltings, Surrey | farnhammaltings.com

31 May | Front Room Theatre | frontroomwsm.com 

2 June | Theatre Royal Winchester | www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk

5 – 6 June | Half Moon Theatre, London | halfmoon.org.uk

7 – 8 June | Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells | trinitytheatre.net

13 June | Grand Junction, London | grandjunction.org.uk

14 June | BEAM, Hertford | beamhertford.co.uk

19 – 20 June | Hullabaloo, Darlington | theatrehullabaloo.org.uk

22 June | Sheffield Playhouse| sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

24 June | New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich | wolseytheatre.co.uk

27 June | Shakespeare North Playhouse | shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk

1 – 5 July | Polka Theatre, London | polkatheatre.com