Review of Once the Musical at Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes

The creators and cast of Once sure know how to get an audience onside as a fifteen-minute pre-show good old knees up was more than enough to get the crowd clapping. It's a noble effort of extra material on what is in itself quite a long show already, but is it worth the effort, or does all this pre-show jollity mask an insubstantial show?

Once is based upon the 2007 film of the same name written by John Carney, and it has to be said it is slight little tale and benefits greatly from the magnificent songs by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. Tale goes as such, Guy (Daniel Healy) discards his guitar and plans to do who knows what, Girl (Emma Lucia) stops him, gets him to fix her "hoofer" and rekindle a romance of old that inspired all his music. However, do the guy and girl fall for one another instead?

Despite its simple, well-told tale of boy meets girl, Once, even at over two hours is a riveting show, full of invention, big characters and the aforementioned songs. These songs are not standard catchy numbers, although a few you will get into your head on relistening maybe, they are simply beautiful, sometimes haunting melodies. They are delivered by a supremely talented cast and with some stunning choreography from Francesca Jaynes. For example, you may have to wait a long time before seeing anything as beautiful as the If You Want Me routine. While the tremendously upbeat dancing numbers, along with their musical instruments of the upbeat tunes are top taping spectacles like the cast do.

As leads, Daniel Healy and Emma Lucia have perfect chemistry together. You believe their burgeoning relationship, which doesn't feel forced at any time. Both Healy and Lucia have stunning singing voices and deliver the varied styles superbly, while their characters likewise have a likeable depth. I particularly liked Lucia in her straight-talking Czech jibes, its classily written by Enda Walsh, and delivered impeccably by Lucia.

The rest of the cast are of an equal standard and while it would be a delight to mention all, a full talent of 16 strong makes it a tough call. However to pick a few, Peter Peverley was quality in the background of many a scene, Samuel Martin a fabulous turn as the musically deficient Bank Manager, and no question Dan Bottomley as Billy stole every scene he was in. However, as I say, everyone is brilliant.

Direction from Peter Rowe is brilliant, one of the best I have seen for a while. The fluid scene changes, natural and in character (I saw some brilliant exchanges hidden within them between the characters), and for such a large cast, beautifully blocked. And the words "beautifully blocked" together is a first for one of my reviews. However, it was just so well presented.

Bar a couple of lighting and microphone moments, it was also perfect in tech, with a delightful set from Libby Watson as well, with a nice little unexpected trick up its sleeve.

Once isn't really about the story, it's hardly there, but the strength of the characters and the simply incredible music makes this one of the best. I don't have any hesitation in recommending this fabulous show.

A stage musical that everyone with a heart should see at least Once.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Performance reviewed: Monday 17th February 2020 at Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes.
Once runs at Milton Keynes Theatre until Sunday 22nd February 2020.

Further details about Milton Keynes Theatre can be found at http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/

Photos: Mark Senior

Review of Frankenstein at Royal & Derngate (Royal), Northampton

Over 200 years since its first publication it is remarkable to think that what is, in essence, a scientific novel such as Frankenstein is still so relevant in content today. However, as science evolves endlessly, and now with AI becoming so dominant and controversial, the difference between right and wrong, good and evil in science, and what is too inhuman is as current as ever. Tilted Wig's production, now at the end of its UK tour at Royal & Derngate and written and directed by Sean Aydon takes the original story and sets it about halfway between the first publication and modern day, around the time leading up to the Second World War. Aydon's adaptation works really well in placing the story within this degenerating world, a place where true horror is around the corner, and veiled ideas of their (Germany's) interest in Frankenstein's work are gently developed. However, while Aydon clearly had this idea in his head and his pen when scripting this version, the polit

Review of Hacktivists by Ben Ockrent performed by R&D Youth Theatre at Royal & Derngate (Underground), Northampton

The National Theatres Connections series of plays had been one of my highlights of my trips to R&D during 2014. Their short and snappy single act style kept them all interesting and never overstaying their welcome. So I was more than ready for my first encounter with one of this years Connections plays ahead of the main week of performances at R&D later in the year. Hacktivists is written by Ben Ockrent, whose slightly wacky but socially relevant play Breeders I had seen at St James Theatre last year. Hacktivists is less surreal, but does have a fair selection of what some people would call odd. Myself of the other hand would very much be home with them. So we are presented with thirteen nerdy "friends" who meet to hack, very much in what is termed the white hat variety. This being for good, as we join them they appear to have done very little more than hacked and created some LED light device. Crashing in to spoil the party however comes Beth (Emma-Ann Cranston)

Review of Flashdance - The Musical at Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes

For the second week running, the Milton Keynes Theatre is overrun by a wave of eighties nostalgia as Selladoor's production of Flashdance The Musical follows hot on the heels of An Officer and a Gentlemen. However, is it nice to have more of that classic decade upon the stage? The answer mostly is yes, despite the fact that the story driving Flashdance is that light and flimsy at times, you just have to sit back and watch the dancing and the bright colours to get you through. Welding genius, Alex Owens, has her sights set for a bigger thing beyond this tired and struggling factory in Pittsburgh. Hoping to take her dancing beyond Harry's bar, she plans to make big, via Shipley Dance Academy. Then, also drifting into her life comes Nick Hurley, who initially unknown to her, happens to be the factory bosses son, the scene is set for romance. Flashdance has a generally excellent cast led with a tremendously good performance from Joanne Clifton as Alex Owens. Those famili

A Small Mind At The Theatre

Search This Blog