Entering the Fitzpatrick Hall to see Once is like stepping into an intimate jazz bar. Circular tables with chequered tablecloths comprise the seating in front of the stage. Soft fairy lights glimmer above. The actor-musicians are already serenading us from the get-go: violinists Eva Cotton and Elena Zheng, and guitarists Wilf Offord, Harry R., Yuvi Vithian, and Ariella Gordon, weave around the tables, joining in with the audience and waving to friends, whilst Rishik Vishwanathan was particularly impressive on the drums. In a crew of predominantly musicians it’s no wonder the music is so outstanding. Before the play has even begun the ensemble has entranced us with various folk, flamenco, and slower reflective tunes.

The entire production manages to keep up this warm, joyful tone – a fitting atmosphere for a show about two lost people in Dublin finding each other through a shared love of music. The outstanding musical performances continue throughout, without a weak performance from anybody. Eva Cotton, who later plays Réza, a singer in a bar, is a particular vocal highlight, especially in the ethereal-sounding high notes she reaches as a backing singer for the protagonists’ duets.

“No one encompasses vocal and instrumental strength better than the leads”

No one encompasses vocal and instrumental strength better than the leads Celine El Kahi, playing ‘Girl’, and Eddie Adams as ‘Guy’. Whilst the latter’s Irish accent has some lapses, and is somewhat regionally obscure, the performances overall are outstanding. Their musical talent is enrapturing in their various solos throughout the show. El Kahi’s piano rendition of Felix Mendelssohn is beautiful and Adams’s voice, described in the show as “raw,” has an energy and vulnerability that diligently conveys Guy’s hope and fear.

Where the duo truly shine is in their duets. In the first, Girl spies Guy’s sheet music and begins to play, leading us into their first duet as the light turns gold above, creating a warm dreamy glow around the two protagonists. The chemistry between the two actors is beautiful, carried throughout the piece by prolonged looks and brief, shy smiles. At the end of this first number the whole cast eventually joins them on stage, turning the two-person duet into a beautiful, holistic piece of music. This is just one of the moments where the show successfully pairs beautiful lighting design, by Li Xuan Ho, with great acting and music to create a truly show-stopping moment.

“The charisma between the pair is backed up by the show’s well-executed humour”

The charisma between Girl and Guy pair is backed up by the show’s well-executed humour. El Kahi’s deadpan delivery of “You are like Mendelssohn – only alive and Irish,” and the scene where she visits Guy's house and is treated to a panicked, ill though-out “Do you want to see my room?” got a good laugh from the audience. These moments capture the synergy between the characters; the direct delivery of the lines, alongside slightly exasperated facial expressions, really sells the jokes.

This humour continues throughout in secondary characters such as Billy, the instrument shop owner played excellently with (I have to say) a stronger Irish accent by Max Parkhouse. It extends to a scene where we meet Girl’s roommates and her mother (Anna Gungaloo), who are Czech immigrants. Rather than speaking Czech, Girl’s house speaks English with the Czech translation projected at the back of the stage, an inversion of English subtitles. Not only does the acting in this scene successfully convey the feeling of a warm, busy found-family home, but the cast perfectly captures the quick jokes, energised body language and snappy discussions of a tight-knit family.

“The music throughout was outstanding, beautiful and moving”

Here the brilliance of Kezi Defriend and Tom Hinton’s choreography comes to a head, in a vibrant and dynamic Czech folk number. The choreo remains strong throughout the show, though the dances are simple and it's clear most of the cast are not trained dancers. A lift between Girl and Guy and their short, sweet waltz together in a pub, which caps the play, is particularly impressive and shows the connection and musicality of the two characters.

Once deserved the many rounds of applause and infused whoops it received. The music throughout was outstanding, beautiful and moving. Coco Lefkow-Green and Connor Nainthy have imbued their production with energy and with heart, helped by brilliant performances and a clear love of music that spans the entire cast. It is a total joy to watch.

‘Once’ is showing at Queens' Fitzpatrick Hall from Wednesday 19 February until Saturday 22 February at 7:30pm, with a Saturday matinee at 2:30pm.

Want to share your thoughts on this article? Send us a letter to letters@varsity.co.uk or by using this form.