Once: the musical by Enda Walsh, Gaiety Theatre

Abstract

As we enter the Gaiety, we discover that Once has already begun: the cast are gathered in what looks like an ordinary pub where a session is underway. They play music for about twenty minutes while members of the audience wander onstage – ordering pints from the barman, listening to the music, waving to friends who have just arrived. As we settle into our seats, we realise that Bob Crowley’s set is not an exact replica of a traditional Irish pub: along the walls, he has positioned a series of mirrors, of varying shapes and sizes. Those mirrors allow us to see the actors from different angles during the performance, but their more significant impact is to ensure that, throughout the evening, the audience will always be able to see itself reflected on-stage.