Once

Dublin Up

Once

by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, book by Enda Walsh

Teddington Theatre Club at the Hampton Hill Theatre until 27^th June

Review by Polly Davies

What better way to pass a hot June evening than to watch a whimsical, romantic musical in an air- conditioned theatre. Based on a film directed by John Carney, the story follows the fate of an Irish busker in Dublin during a life-changing week.

On the way we see a tender friendship develop that is both heartwarming and bittersweet, as both have a life to return to, back from the bubble of this momentous week.

I really enjoyed joining in with the cast and audience sing-along of favourite Irish ballads which precede the start of the show. It was great way to set the scene and warm up the audience, but it might have been a bit disconcerting for those theatre-goers who had lingered a bit too long in the bar and had to make their way to their seats though the enthusiastic singers in the audience.

The musical stands and falls by the performance of the actor playing the demanding role of Guy, and Jacob Taylor doesn’t disappoint. His beautiful and interesting voice complements his sensitive portrayal of a street musician whose talent is unrecognised. His expressive and wistful love songs are composed between his prosaic day-job as a vacuum cleaner repair man and his nights thinking of his lost love who has moved away to New York.

A chance encounter with a Czech immigrant, known only as Girl, leads him to rethink his life, leave the repair shop and embark on a career as musician and songwriter in the USA. Such a change in a few days might seem a tad unlikely but Ellie Armstrong’s Girl is convincing. Her love for music, and empathy with Guy’s compositions, is the inspiration he needs to move away from the street and pursue a serious career in music. Ellie’s delightful voice, and her, albeit it mimed, piano playing fits with her character’s love of music and her drive is evident. Brooking no dissent, she determinedly persuades him to make a recording, finance it and leave for New York to seek his fortune.

The production is fun, and the music and dancing provided by the ensemble throughout is lively with the atmosphere of a good Friday night in an Irish pub. Credit goes to the Czech players, especially the convincing drunks. A nice touch is to include the Czech lyrics to the songs and the playful translation of the Baruska-Guy dialogue.

The contrast between the gently romantic developing relationship between the lead characters and the everyday life and partying of the ensemble mirrored the contradicting choices faced by Guy. And the script and lyrics emphasised the fear always present when facing such potentially life-changing decisions.

A phenomenal set by director Wesley Henderson Roe and the team served as a Dublin street scene, music shop, Guy’s bedroom, Girl’s flat and a bar, without a single scene change.

The excellent performance of the visible orchestra provided the high-quality musical accompaniment.

A lovely character part by Paul Furlong as Billy, and Marcus Ezekiel’s credible rock-enthusiast Bank Manager; cameo parts by Rob Murray, Lizzie Lattimore and Anna Strain and ensemble’s excellent performance of the magical score added the finishing touches.

Polly Davies, June 2026

Photography by Kim Harding