ONCE ON THIS ISLAND till 16 August

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND: Book and Lyrics, Lynn Ahrens, Music, Stephen Flaherty, Based on the novel MY LOVE, MY LOVE by Rosa Guy.
Runs 2h, one interval.
Birmingham Rep till 20 June, Nottingham then London till 16 August
Review: Rod Dungate, 9 June 2009.

A great joy.

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND makes a welcome and highly spirited return to the Rep; originally created in the 1990s this production shifts the emphasis of the show, grounding it more firmly among its characters. The result is a warmer show with an increased emotional involvement for us.

This highly colourful and energetic show ceases to be a story of a lost girl, fabulously saved by gods who dies of a broken heart and is then transformed into a beautiful tree. It becomes, instead, a show about a group of generous and gorgeous people who group together to tell us the story about a lost girl who is fabulously saved by gods who dies of a broken heart . . . Just as they tell this story to Little Ti Moune so they tell the story to us.

The great joy we feel must be in large part due to the show’s ability to release in us some spark of innocence we thought long lost.

This tale is not unmitigated sweetness and light - how unbearable that would be! It’s woven around a dark stain, it’s a working through or a coming to terms with class / caste and an unforgivable inflexible dividing lines between the haves and the have-nots.

The talented company gel as a powerful ensemble enabling us to share their dance, their music, and their love of life.

The strong storytelling style of the production is greatly enhanced by Lotte Collett’s designs which give an informal, improvised feel to everything. And to Susie McKenna’s heartfelt direction.

Asaka (Mother Earth): Sharon D Clarke.
Agwe (God of Water): Johnny Amobi.
Erzulie (Goddess of Love): Lorna Brown.
Papa Ge (Demon of Death): Jo Servi.
Mama Euralie: Melanie La Barrie.
Tonton Julian: Mensah Bediako.
It Moune: Shyko Amos.
Daniel Beauxhomme: Wayne Perrey.
Armand: Robert Grose.
Andrea Deveraux: Yaa.
Little Ti Moune: Saskia Hayman, Nicole Stoney, Olivia Thomas-Tapper.

Director: Susie McKenna
Choreographer: Deirdre Lovell.
Co-Musical Director: Ian Macgregor.
Co-Musical Director: Orphy Robinson.
Set and Costume Designer: Lotte Collett.
Lighting Designer: Philip Gladwell.
Sound Designer: Paul Gavin.
Vocal Supervisor: Martin Lowe.
Casting Director: Sooki McShane.

2009-06-10 10:43:42