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 Flash Festival 2016: Red Inquisition by Memoir Theatre at Castle Hill URC

Red Inquisition from Memoir Theatre evolves from a theatre groups creation of a play based on the 1947 Hollywood blacklist and McCarthyism So that I can get it out the way early on and take this review in a more upbeat direction that Red Inquisition deserves, I am going to get a real bugbear done first. There was a huge negative for me from this production and one that I ended up getting negative vibes from. For me there was far too much video and audio footage in this production. Much of it was while excellently researched, surplus to requirements. The were a couple of occasions especially where we saw material repeated on screen that had already been performed. The show did not need this and for me theatre is not about watching a screen in any case, its about seeing performances. This however does need to be taken as a positive as what I am simply saying is that I wanted more acting from the trio of Daniel Hadjivarnava, Ciara Goldsberry and Jaryd Headley as they work excellently ...

Review of That Face by Polly Stenham performed by The Masque Theatre at the Playhouse Theatre, Northampton

As millions were sitting down to watch the misery of EastEnders and its big reveal of Lucy's killer, A Small Mind ventured out to the theatre for some light relief. Yeah right! That Face by Polly Stenham is generally as far from light relief as you could imagine, like the aforementioned soap being unshackled by its pre-watershed needs, this was gritty family drama in the extreme. Long before the play begins those who had made their way to their seats early get the chance to see curtain up and a girl sitting bound and masked in a chair. Moments of 50 Shades fears aside, its clear that we are seeing one of the unluckiest actresses you could imagine. Destined to be in two scenes with no lines, the first of which involves her being mauled about no end, its a thankless role, which todays actress of pain Julie Hicks plays very well. Suffering for her art indeed. Doing the mauling are boarding school "buddies" Mia (Amber Mae) and mad as a box of frogs Izzy (Clare Balbi). Mia...

Review of Theft at the Castle Theatre Studio, Wellingborough

The comedy-thriller Theft by Eric Chappell tells the story of an anniversary celebrating couple returning to the devastation of their home being ransacked in a burglary. However, this ransacking pales in comparison to the ransacking of their lives that then occurs as home truths are revealed. Anyone old enough to remember the works of Theft writer Chappell ( Rising Damp and Only When I Laugh ), could be forgiven for thinking that this 1996 play might feel a little dated for a 2021 audience. However, bar a few references much of their time now (the weaker sex and female priests for instance), Theft still feels comfortable in the 2021 world, where many of us just want both a good evening of theatre and a good bit of fun. With Theft from the highly regarded Wellingborough Technical Players, they get just that. The action starts as we find the man of the house John Miles played by Graham Breeze returning, very angry, to his home. He is a rightfully boisterous character, channelling all th...

A Small Mind At The Theatre

Search This Blog