Review: ONCE – Pitlochry Festival Theatre

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‘Once’ is the opening production of Alan Cumming’s inaugural season as Artistic Director at Pitlochry Festival Theatre, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. It’s a revival of the musical of the book by Enda Walsh, based on the movie written and directed by John Carney. Music and lyrics are by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. ‘Once’ is produced by Pitlochry Festival Theatre by Special Arrangement with Barbara Broccoli, Patrick Millingsmith and Fred Zollo. Some pedigree.

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And on top of that, this production is the Scottish première of the show and features the original Broadway and West End creative team, led by John Tiffany (‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ and ‘Black Watch’).

‘Once’ premiered on Broadway in 2012, and went on to win eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and subsequently ran in the West End from 2013-2015, where it won two Olivier Awards for Best Actress in a Musical and Outstanding Achievement in Sound, making it the only musical in history to win an Academy, Grammy, Olivier, and Tony Award.

It’s not touring after its run at Pitlochry, so this is definitely a ‘catch it while you can’ moment, before it closes on June 27th.

A Dublin Love Story Reimagined

Although Guy meets Girl, this is no run-of-the-mill love story. It’s set in Dublin, where a disillusioned young street musician decides there’s no point in pursuing his dream, as his career is going nowhere and he might as well dump his guitar. Before he gets the chance, Czech émigrée ‘Girl’ arrives on the scene and, with the help of a motley crew of musician friends, tries to convince ‘Guy’ that he needs to believe in himself and his talent. It’s fitting that they are Guy and Girl, as this is an ‘everyman’ story, with universal messages.

The cast and more musician friends were in the bar playing before the show, and invited the audience to join them on stage before the show proper started too. Genius. That same immersive atmosphere carries over onto the stage itself. Designer Bob Crowley’s set is stunning and employs the whole stage. In turn, it is a Dublin pub, a music shop, a recording studio and several other more intimate spaces where one-to-one conversations are had. There is a magical moment when Guy and Girl are looking out over the city at night. Bravo to both Crowley’s design and Natasha Katz’s lighting design.

A Standout Cast of Actor-Musicians

The cast are all on stage pretty much all of the time, sitting at the sides ready to pick up their instruments and play – which they do frequently. They are never intrusive, though, as they watch developments between Guy and Girl. But they are absolutely key to the whole story, and each one has a real story of his or her own to tell.

Dylan Wood (Guy) and Lydia White (Girl) are marvellous, but each one of the ten cast members is terrific. I could give them all the individual accolades that they deserve, but instead exhort you to get a ticket and see for yourself. Not only are they totally convincing in their roles, but they are also multi-talented musicians. Don’t ask me to pick a favourite; as soon as I single out one performance, I realise they were all fabulous for different reasons. A fully deserved unanimous standing ovation at the end of the night.

And for those of you who, like me, aren’t convinced that musicals are your thing, please just go along to this and see if it might just convince you that, if nothing else, there really is a musical out there for everyone. I loved this show. What I find hardest about musicals is perfectly normal people breaking into song midway through a conversation. Okay, I’m sure it’s me who is lacking – no ability to suspend disbelief – but the songs too often spoil a good play for me. Not here. The songs are a natural, integral part of this piece, because it is all about music. When Guy sings a love song it’s because he’s just written it and is trying it out. Is it for Girl? Maybe. Maybe not.

No wonder ‘Once’ won so many awards before Covid put the kibosh on further productions. But how lucky are we that Alan Cumming has brought this piece of magic to Pitlochry? He gave a very emotional speech to the assembled crowd after the performance. Pitlochry is lucky to be sharing in his infectious enthusiasm and I can almost certainly promise that you will feel that too if you step into this beautiful theatre in the hills.

Featured Image: Dylan Wood and Lydia White. Photo Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

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ONCE will play the Pitlochry Festival Theatre until Saturday, June 27, 2026. For tickets or more information, click here: https://www.pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com/whats-on/once/