★★★★★

“a phenomenal production”

In Dublin, a man is about to leave his guitar behind for good. But a Czech woman needs her hoover fixed, and she plans to pay him in music. So begins a musical partnership, that over the course of a week, will change both their lives. Based on the acclaimed film by John Carney, ‘Once’ is a quietly beautiful story of music, love and loss. This is the first ever regional production of ‘Once’ and what a production it is. It started life at the New Wolsey Theatre, and now opens at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch to a standing ovation.

The actor-musician cast are supremely talented, vocally superb, genuine and often very funny in their performances, alternating between instruments with complete ease. Daniel Healy and Emma Lucia play the central couple. Lucia is wonderful, apparently unphaseable, lively and immediately likeable, the heart and soul of this story. Healy is equally fantastic. Lost and hurt, he sings and plays with an urgency of emotion that is both beautiful and heartbreaking to watch. Their relationship is tangible onstage, the words left unsaid and the complications that surround loving someone. Sean Kingsley as Billy, is a lively comic addition to the production, incongruous and bold. In fact, there isn’t a weak link across the cast.

Libby Watson’s accomplished set creates a familiar pub backdrop, walls heavy with frames, with a roof that lifts to reveal a star studded night sky high above the world. Under Peter Rowe’s direction, the actors remain onstage almost constantly, and a fantastically warm sense of ensemble is created.

Enda Walsh’s book is playful and simple, coupled with music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. Swelling folk tunes are followed by beautiful moments of ensemble acapella. This is a phenomenal production, touching and funny and deeply human, delivered by superb performances across the board.

Reviewed by Amelia Brown

Photography by Mike Kwasniak

Mrs Dalloway

Arcola Theatre

Reviewed – 1st October 2018

★★★★

“a creative and sophisticated production”

Hal Coase’s adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s ‘Mrs Dalloway’ opens with a meta-theatrical “pre-amble” as Emma D’Arcy and Clare Lawrence Moody tell us where they live in London and when they first read ‘Mrs Dalloway’. It is a bold and exciting beginning that plays with form, just as Woolf does.

It is the story many know so well, of course. Across a single day in London in 1923, Clarissa Dalloway (Clare Perkins) is getting ready for a party, a party that she will be hosting tonight. At the same time, Septimus Warren Smith, a veteran of the First World War is struggling desperately to separate fantasy and reality, and is looking for help amongst the very people who will later be Clarissa’s guests. It is no easy feat to adapt, but Coase has done a brilliant job, and under Thomas Bailey’s highly capable direction, moments of internal thought and external conversation are wittily punctuated and communicated.

As well as performing in the piece, D’Arcy is the joint artistic director of theatre company Forward Arena and is responsible for the design of all their productions to date. For Mrs Dalloway, this is simple, aesthetic and sophisticated. A blue patch of sky on the back wall is later joined by another patch of sunset. Cream costumes blend into a curtain. Portable cassette players create the bustling sound of London, an overlapping soundscape of people. Bailey creates the party scene with a row of microphones, a cramped panel setup that is highly evocative. Occasional nods to modernity in the form of an iPhone and an Oyster card could work, but stand alone as they are, they feel lacklustre.

The production boasts some wonderful performances. Moody is particularly good. She has a liveliness and a playful energy that she brings to each role in turn. Guy Rhys as Septimus lacks depth and is unfortunately unconvincing meaning the emotional impact of his plight has limited effect. He is, however, the only weak link in an otherwise strong cast.

Tag Archives: Amelia Brown

Once – 5 Stars

Once

Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch

Reviewed – 4th October 2018

★★★★★

“a phenomenal production”

Reviewed by Amelia Brown

Photography by Mike Kwasniak

Once

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch until 20th October

Previously reviewed at this venue:

Rope | ★★★★ | February 2018

The Game of Love and Chai | ★★★ | April 2018

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert | ★★★ | May 2018

Abi | ★★★★ | September 2018

Abigail’s Party | ★★★½ | September 2018

Click here to see more of our latest reviews on thespyinthestalls.com

Mrs Dalloway – 4 Stars

Mrs Dalloway

Arcola Theatre

Reviewed – 1st October 2018

★★★★

“a creative and sophisticated production”

This is a creative and sophisticated production on all fronts, well crafted and beautifully delivered.

Reviewed by Amelia Brown

Photography by Ollie Grove

Mrs Dalloway

Arcola Theatre until 20th October

Previously reviewed at this venue:

Heretic Voices | ★★★★ | January 2018

Fine & Dandy | ★★★★★ | February 2018

The Daughter-in-Law | ★★★★ | May 2018

The Parade | ★★★ | May 2018

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives | ★★★★★ | June 2018

The Rape of Lucretia | ★★★★ | July 2018

Elephant Steps | ★★★★ | August 2018

Greek | ★★★★ | August 2018

Click here to see more of our latest reviews on thespyinthestalls.com