ONCE

After an overwhelming day, I decided to treat myself to the west end production, Once (because why not? I deserve it). 

I took the tube to the west end (Theatre district) and arrived at the Phoenix Theatre. After retrieving my ticket, I climbed the stairs to my seat in the "upper circle" (the nice way to say nose bleed section haha) but the theatre was so small that the actors could still be seen and most definitely heard from where I was sitting. 

Once (no pun intended but sorta haha) I found my seat I headed to the bar because both musicals and cider are good individually so naturally when together they make for a delightful combination. I found it really cool that the theatre used the bar that was part of the set as a place that the audience could get drinks (talk about interactive). 

While the theatre was filling up the cast was on the stage playing some light music and eventually it transitioned into the start of the musical. I must admit that I bought my ticket a bit last minute and had no idea what the story of the musical was but it got great reviews so I went for it.

Heres a brief run down on what happened....the actors filtered onto the stage and the leading lady stumbles across the main man (characters remain nameless throughout the production) playing his guitar. She quickly realizes that the song he is singing was written for someone and as they talk it comes out that the man's ex-girlfriend had cheated on him and moved to New York. The audience soon learns that he had a dream of becoming a professional singer but doesn't feel like he is good enough. Their conversation also leads to the fact that he fixes vacuum cleaners and coincidentally, the women has a vacuum that needed a fixin'. So, she takes him to go get her vacuum and after they head to a music shop where she reveals that she too is a musician, she plays the piano. The rest of the show is spent with the woman trying to convince the man to peruse his dreams, She finally does and they go to the bank to get a loan so that he can afford a session at the recording studio. Both the woman and the man explain to the banker what the money is for and the banker request the man play a song, he did and it was nothing short of phenomenal. I don't want to give away the ending, so I'll just say its an awesome. 

The soundtrack of this production combined with the raw talent on stage was honestly so moving. The most memorial songs for me were “Falling Slowly” (my fav) and “Leave” they are written so beautifully.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg_is-QG_ys 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB4RlKFrw3s

(Go check them out on youtube ^^^^)

I must admit, I had a great time tonight, I recommend that everyone take themselves out on a date sometime soon. 

Now it’s back to the grind….I have 4 papers and 2 presentations calling my name…

-AMV