REVIEW: Once

If your soul lives in the cross-section between folk, musical theatre and feeling your feels deeply at all times, you’ve probably heard of or experienced Once. Written by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, loosely mirroring their lives pre-folk duo ‘The Swell Season’, it began as a debut album in 2006 before being made into a dramatised film the following year. The thing that hooked me on their album as a deeply emotional teenager was that their music was unashamedly heavy and personal, and allowed the listener to really sit in a feeling and ride it out. Not to mention the gorgeous soaring melodies and warm harmonies. 

Vulnerability and sincerity live at the heart of Once, which explores people from different worlds attempting to connect, and take chances to follow their heart. I think it’s an incredibly important watch, inherently hopeful and real, and I’m so glad it’s made its way to Chapel Off Chapel this year, the perfect intimate space for authentic storytelling. In saying that, I do think that this production played much grander than the space it inhabited, and we lost some of the stripped-back rawness this show thrives on. I felt like I needed more space in its pace to be able to really lean in.

Photo credit: Natalie Edge Photography

Despite this, we’re treated to an absolute feast of talent onstage. The show is carried by strong ensemble of actor-musicians, who also dance a great deal in this production, with violins under their chins and guitars brandished. We enter to a pub jam session of traditional Irish tunes, which is wonderful craic that sets the tone for the rest of the night. It almost had me gushing, until the ensemble invited two audiences members up to give some instruments a go in an exciting moment of audience participation - until we notice that the ‘audience’ had microphones on, and suddenly knew the words and the choreography to the numbers. I didn’t quite understand the intended message here. I was so hoping for brave audience participation, the type of genuine ‘give it a crack’ energy you’d find at the local Irish pub on session night.

After the jovial jamming from our ensemble, we are introduced to Guy, who immediately shifts the tone of the room. Mark Taylor closely captures Glen Hansard’s melancholy in ‘Leave’,  with a rugged range that calls out for something missing. His transformation throughout the show is a warm watch, as he softens in the hopeful gaze of Girl. Sian Fuller is otherworldly in her blunt honesty and endless joy. Her voice is enchanting, full of warmth and ease that makes the tragic moments cut deeper. ‘The Hill’ was my favourite moment of the show, the ‘lean in’ effect so palpable that it ended with the biggest show-stopping applause of the night. I had goosebumps on my face when I heard the truly gorgeous three strings swelling around her, played by Rose Chambers, Felix Star and William Lopez.

Rose Chambers delivers powerful raunchy vocals and really stunning fiddle playing as Reza, and Billy’s comedic quips are swiftly and energetically delivered by Frazer Shepherdson. John Yanko as Svec expertly played an incredible assortment of instruments throughout (the melodica was my favourite), and shared a playful buoyancy with James Frampton as the very silly, very passionate Andrej, who also sings a beautifully haunting rendition of ‘The Moon’. William Lopez won my heart as the earnest Bank Manager, and ‘Abandoned in Bandon’ was so incredibly sincere that I snorted with laughter. Bridget A’Becket was bold and energetic as Baruska, and Don Bridges’ Da was so gently sweet and supportive. Special mention to Emersyn Orchchard who adorably lit up the stage as Ivonka.

Photo credit: Natalie Edge Photography

This ensemble really danced, and it was beautiful. Jaimee White’s additional choreography worked harmoniously with the company, and dynamically explored both the yearning and immense joy within this story. Musical direction by Tim Wilson was cohesive and full, with this cast working exceptionally hard to stay together as a band without a conductor, and to blend those stunning harmonies across the space. 

At the heart of it, Once is a story about honesty and hope, working hard with determination for your dreams when the spark is reignited, and all those icky tricky bits in between. That’s the stuff that sits close to home for all of us. It’s a powerful thing to be vulnerable, because it requires bravery. There’s a cost to it, but the rewards far outweigh the loss. While I wished there was more space for the work to sit in a smidge more melancholy and let it speak for itself, there was an inescapable amount of joy on that stage and in that room, and I can’t understate how much we need more of that in the word today. 

You can catch Once playing at Chapel Off Chapel until the 6th of June

3.5 out of 5 Stars