THEATRE REVIEW: ‘Once’ The Musical

Show: Once
Produced by: John Frost and The Melbourne Theatre Company
Venue: Princess Theatre, Melbourne

There are very few films that successfully manage to encapsulate the raw power and emotional connectivity that music possesses. John Carney’s 2006 low budget romcom Once is one of those films; a critically acclaimed ‘sleeper hit’ that has developed a cult following among musicians and music fans alike. Once took a simple tale of ‘boy meets girl and is inspired by said girl to pursue his talents in a quest to get more out of life and earn her love’ and turned it into one of the most hauntingly beautiful and realistic depictions of love and self-actualisation committed to film. Unique in a modern context in that much of what is said in the film is delivered via on-camera performances of its Oscar winning soundtrack, Once distinguishes itself further by harnessing the power of what isn’t said, as much as what is, making the most of a deliberately minimalistic script to deliver its statement of intent with an element of subtlety that is so often missing in modern romantic comedies.

Ostensibly a musical to begin with, Once was converted into a Tony Award winning musical by playwright Enda Walsh, debuting off-Broadway in 2011 before embarking on a critically acclaimed four-year run, taking in productions in Broadway, Dublin, West End and a US touring package. Now it is music loving Melbourne’s chance to experience Once The Musical, as John Frost and the Melbourne Theatre company bring the production to life on the Princess Theatre stage, and I was fortunate enough to be in the audience to witness the magic unfold.

One of the finest productions I’ve ever seen, Once engages the audience from the outset, immediately breaking down the fourth wall by allowing the audience to take the stage for a drink, as live folk music (performed by the cast who all play instruments) and a festive spirit ensure a feeling of joviality is felt throughout the room. This unique opening sequence is the first of many ways in which Once distinguishes itself from the typical modern musical (a tight, almost minimalistic script, and the absence of any over-the-top production being others) and on this night it is devastatingly effective in creating a sense of connectivity between audience and performers.

Once the audience is seated, the show proper starts and the stellar cast wastes no time in ensuring the sensation of connectivity and community continues as they take you on a roller coaster ride of human emotions via superbly crafted and delivered dialogue and those beautiful, enchanting songs. Led by stand-out performances from Tom Parsons (as Guy) and Madeleine Jones (as Girl) the cast brings the warmth and subtlety of the movie to life before our very eyes, as the likes of Colin Dean (as a romantically flawed music shop owner), Anton Berezin (as a bank manager) and Amy Lehpamer (as a girl on the hunt for a man) provide the perfect accompaniment for Guy and Girl’s relationship (and Parson’s and Jones’ genuine chemistry) to develop and thrive towards its predestined and tragically beautiful failure.

Martin Lowe’s musical arrangements are superb and the deft touch he has displayed while moulding the much loved songs of Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglova into pieces suitable to be performed by an ensemble cast has to be applauded. That Lowe was able to achieve this without losing the emotional depth and honesty of the songs is no small feat and the manner in which the cast performs the songs (particularly Parsons who absolutely nails every note with his rich, emotion-filled timbre and Jones who sings beautifully without ever breaking her strong Czech accent) is a tribute to both Lowe’s efforts and the quality of the original songs themselves. The understated production suits Once perfectly and the triple threat of John Tiffany’s direction, Bob Crowley’s set design and Natasha Katz’s lighting ensure Once feels naturalistic, providing the perfect backdrop upon which this decidedly human tale is told.

Highlighted by a spellbinding rendition of the Oscar winning “Falling Slowly,” and the entertaining antics of the Girl’s housemates and mother (a superb turn by Susan-ann Walker), who provide not only much of the humour which made the film so appealing but also serve a practical purpose by providing segues between movements, the Melbourne production of Once is a glorious and enchanting adaptation of one of modern musical theatre’s finest and most genuinely emotive works and as myself and my partner ventured out into the Melbourne night we find ourselves a little overawed by the romance and beauty of it all.

See it now and be swept away by the power that music can have over the soul.

SCORE: 8/10

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