Review: ONCE, Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Once runs at Pitlochry Festival Theatre until 27 June
First opening in New York in 2012, Once is a musical based on John Carney’s 2007 film of the same name. For the first time, the original creative team have reunited to bring Once to the Pitlochry stage as the opening show of Alan Cummings first season as artistic director of the theatre. The book for Once is written by Enda Walsh, music and lyrics are by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová and it is directed by John Tiffany.
Guy (Dylan Wood) is feeling disenchanted with music and abandons his guitar on a Dublin Street after performing a beautiful song. Girl (Lydia White) is a young Czech woman who crashes into his life with a burst of energy and encourages him to pick up his guitar again.
It’s a fated meeting as he is able to help her with something she needs and she promises to pay him back in music. After taking him to a local shop where she is allowed to play the piano because the owner is trying to keep her sweet, it transpires that the two have exceptional musical chemistry and begin to work together to make both their dreams become reality.
Bob Crowley’s design almost feels like a character in itself. Designed to look like a cosy Irish pub, the set is adorned with mirrors that reflect the action and give it a unique feel. It’s open and inviting- quite literally, as the audience are able to go onstage before the show and buy a drink from the bar.
The music is stunning, with “Falling Slowly” being the real highlight. The cast of actor/musicians are incredibly talented, and the use of the ensemble for the big musical numbers and also as secondary characters is really clever.
Dylan Wood is every bit the perfect leading man with exceptional musical talent. Lydia White brings a real fire to Girl, and her enthusiasm for getting Guy’s life back on track is contagious. Their chemistry together is wonderful and makes it easy to emotionally connect with the story.
It’s a real joy to see a musical of this calibre premiere in Scotland, and the combination of the revered creative team, the exceptional cast, and the beauty of Pitlochry Festival Theatre makes this a really special show, not to be missed!
Photo credit: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
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