Once – Fairfield Halls, Croydon and Touring

Emma Lucia and Daniel Healy in Once at Fairfield Hall, London and Touring. Picture: Mark Senior

Once plays at Ashcroft Playhouse, Fairfield Halls, Croydon until 11 January 2020 before the tour continues.

Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Based on John Carney’s film, this show – first staged in 2011 – tells the story of a local musician and a young Czech woman whose paths cross in Dublin. Enda Walsh’s book is poignant, powerful and deeply compelling.

But, in this production, it’s the music which makes it special. The entire cast – including four fine violinists – are actor-musos of the highest calibre. They are on stage jamming folk music in a pub as the audience finds their seats at the start and the vibrance and energy is contagiously exhilarating.

Once the show begins, Peter Rowe’s direction allows the music and musicians to become almost part of the set, sitting at the sides and back, playing continuo or interjections and then occasionally, quite literally, moving into the spotlight. There’s unusual beauty and elegance in such seamlessness.

Emma Lucia is a delight as the Girl with her insouciant directness. She has a knack of looking tellingly thoughtful and then smiling like a ray of sunshine. No wonder she captivates Guy (Daniel Healy) as she encourages him to make music.

Healy’s character is troubled because he’s, eventually, torn between two loves which he conveys convincingly. He sings well as befits the musician/composer he’s portraying (and actually is in real life) and his acting is notably natural.

There are many terrific cameo roles, immaculately played amongst this talented cast: Samuel Martin’s bank manager, Dan Bottomley’s Billy and Susannah Van Den Berg’s Baruska, for example.

Watch out too for Hannah Khogali. As onstage swing she really stands out. How many actors can play the violin, sing and jump up and down in rhythm all at the same time? And she does it with energetic aplomb.

Towards the end of Act II there’s a number in which the whole cast sings an unaccompanied number in harmony. Goodness knows how they keep it together as tightly as they do but “When you’re staring out to sea” sung at dawn as they look towards Dublin is perfect.

This show (presented by Adam Spiegel and Robert Bartner, the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich and Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch) is hugely enjoyable because it has all the elements: wonderful music, an accomplished cast imaginatively directed and an engaging, moving narrative. Full marks to all.

Susan Elkin