“Once” has been described as an anti-musical, more a play with music. It’s a multi-million dollar show in the intimacy of your living room. "Once" is essentially a story of love; the love of music, the love of a Guy and a Girl who connect through a shared love of music, the love of a diverse Dublin community bonded by music, the love of a two strangers struggling with the burning and forbidden love they find through music, the love that takes them on a life journey and helps them and those around them understand themselves on a deeper level. “Once” is a modern day fairytale with a twist.
The set is a typical Irish pub, it could be any pub, it could be your local pub. The idea behind the single set design is to welcome the audience in, embrace them in the story, make it familiar and comfortable and invite them to draw on their own life experience as the story unfolds. In the words of the set designer, Bob Crowley, “If you look in the mirrors, you can see part of a face or part of a hand playing a guitar, they fracture the space, they fracture the events.” The ultimate goal of the production is to keep it small, to connect, to allow the audience to lose themselves in the story and not be distracted by multiple set changes, grandiose lighting, glitter and sparkle. There was never any intention to turn the book into a mammoth production, it would be detrimental to its simplicity and message and would suffocate the story and destroy its fragility. Its power lies in music, real, raw music teamed with vocals that are edgy, improvised and uninhibited, where any slight imperfection in delivery makes it ever more perfect. The song and dance numbers in the show transcend through the music in a way that is seamless and understated. As director John Tiffany describes, “Music is very unpresentational. It doesn’t have buttons and glitter guns. It’s about these characters finding a physical vocabulary to express in the music they are making.” In the two biggest choreographic moments in the show the cast are all playing their instruments and this is integrated into the dance element of the production. Although choreographically stripped down, the dance presence remains striking and monumental.
Though playing close attention to the play and the film, the musical enhances the comedy aspect of the story. This helps to warm a theatre audience to a storyline which before the theatre production leaned heavily to a darker, more depressing angle. Though in keeping with the honesty of the storyline, the brighter approach to its portrayal makes it more approachable to a live theatre audience. This desire to honour reality is strengthened by the creative director’s decision to not allow the cast to watch the film or see the Broadway production ahead of rehearsing for the West End production. The idea behind this was to allow them to bring their own traits to the roles they were developing, thus bringing a fresh European perspective to the storyline and adapting it to its demographic audience. “Guy” and “Girl” are not given names, they can be whoever the audience want them to be; a friend, a neighbour, strangers, even themselves. The purpose of this is to invite the audience to relate to the storyline in their own way, on their own level.
After having seen the original Broadway production I had a perfect casting in mind for the roles of “Girl” and “Guy” so when the announcement was made I was naturally intrigued as although I was familiar with Declan Bennett, I'd never heard of Zrinka Cvitešić. I decided not to research her past work and let my heart decide on her credibility as for me “Once” is all about the character relationships and their ability to connect with me. The fact that I didn’t have any preconceived ideas about how they would play out the roles actually made it a more emotionally connecting for me.
Zrinka Cvitešić, a Croatian native, playing a Czech girl in Dublin, quite prolific back in her homeland yet practically unknown in the U.K, takes the stage by storm as the headstrong, determined “Girl.” She is the driving force of the musical, the catalyst to the relationships developed in the show. The love in her soul reflects in her emotional energy, her desire to mend bleeding hearts. It’s just a shame the only heart she cannot fix is her own. Zrinka brings a genuine humbleness and natural quirkiness to the role and her comic delivery is perfect. Her portrayal of “Girl” is so empowering I actually left the theatre wanting to be Czech! Declan Bennett is also perfectly cast as “Guy.” His innate passion for music is evident, every performance he gives is packed with raw and unhinged energy. That energy shifts from an anger and frustration to desire and lust and later to a pure love and passion. He throws himself into “Guy’s” world and lives, breathes and sweats out his journey up on stage with a striking ease of character. Both Zrinka and Declan put their heart and soul into every aspect of their performance. Their vocal performances resonate with genuine passion and emotion, leaving the audience transfixed in the beauty of the music and hanging on every pause, every breath, every lyric. Through the two of them the audience learn the truth of “Once’s” tag line; “His music needed one thing…her.”
The extended lead roles and supporting cast are the most talented actor/musicians I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing in a show. Their performance skills blew me away. They are at one with their instruments to such a degree that as an audience member it becomes so natural that you barely notice the instrument they are carrying. Every single member of the cast shines individually and although it isn’t a rarity for an entire cast to be talented, it is a rarity to notice every single cast member individually and be able to remember their exact performance after the show.
The music in “Once” is not traditional musical theatre style. It lends itself more to an intimate gig in a small music venue or a local pub which is fitting given the stage set design is a Dublin bar. The songs lend themselves heavily to acoustic delivery, creating a platform for them to shine lyrically and vocally. Each song is packed with emotional connection; from the angst and intensity of “Guy’s,” “Leave” to the beauty and fragility of “Girl’s," “The Hill.” All the songs help to develop the script and their inclusion is seamless. “Falling Slowly” is one of the most simple melodies with beautiful harmonies. It touches the heart and soul and remains engrained in your mind from beginning to end. The script intertwines and blends with the songs, both work in harmony alongside each other. It cleverly links characters, moments and situations with respect for emotions and feelings. "Once" takes you on a musical journey, mends hearts, opens your eyes to a deeper you."
“Once” is the most beautiful, original and diverse piece of theatre I have seen in a long time. Simplicity is “Once’s” authenticity and I really do hope the public embrace it so it can enjoy longevity and the success it truly deserves in the West End.
Watch the Once trailer video here:
