Once on This Island
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Discovering the West End Musical "Once on This Island"
"Once on This Island" is a vibrant and enchanting musical that weaves a tale of love, resilience, and cultural clash against a Caribbean backdrop. With its roots in a 1985 novel by Rosa Guy, "My Love, My Love; or, The Peasant Girl," this theatrical gem, adapted by Lynn Ahrens (book and lyrics) and Stephen Flaherty (music), first premiered Off-Broadway in 1990 before making its way to Broadway and, eventually, London’s West End. Its West End debut in 1994 brought a burst of tropical energy to the stage, captivating audiences with its evocative score and timeless storytelling.
The Heart of the Tale
Set on a fictional French Antillean island divided by class and color, "Once on This Island" follows Ti Moune, a dark-skinned peasant girl who falls in love with Daniel Beauxhomme, a light-skinned grand homme from the island’s wealthy elite. After Ti Moune nurses Daniel back to health following a car accident, their forbidden romance unfolds, guided by the whims of four gods Asaka, Agwé, Erzulie, and Papa Ge who wager on whether love can triumph over societal divides and death itself. The story, framed as a tale told by islanders to a young girl during a storm, blends myth and reality into a poignant allegory of sacrifice and hope.
A Creative Journey
Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty crafted "Once on This Island" as their first major collaboration, drawing inspiration from Guy’s novel and infusing it with Caribbean rhythms and folklore. Directed originally by Graciela Daniele, the musical debuted at Playwrights Horizons before transferring to Broadway, where it earned critical acclaim and multiple Tony nominations. Its West End premiere came in 1994 at the Royalty Theatre (now the Peacock Theatre), running from September 28 to October 22. Revived in 2009 at the Hackney Empire and Birmingham Hippodrome, it showcased the story’s enduring appeal to UK audiences.
The 1994 West End Production
The West End premiere of "Once on This Island" in 1994 was a co-production by the American team and London’s Theatre Royal Stratford East, directed by Gwenda Hughes. Featuring a talented cast including Sharon D. Clarke as Asaka and Clive Rowe as Papa Ge, the production ran for a limited four-week engagement. Critics lauded its spirited performances and colorful staging, with the intimate Royalty Theatre enhancing the show’s immersive quality. Though its run was brief, it introduced London to a musical that defied convention with its non-traditional narrative and vibrant cultural tapestry.
Musical Brilliance and Cultural Richness
The score of "Once on This Island" is a celebration of Caribbean musical traditions, blending calypso, reggae, and folk influences into a lush soundscape. Standout numbers like "Waiting for Life," where Ti Moune yearns for more, and "Mama Will Provide," a joyous ode to nature led by Asaka, highlight the show’s emotional range. The ensemble-driven storytelling, paired with Flaherty’s dynamic compositions and Ahrens’ poetic lyrics, creates a vivid world that pulses with life, love, and divine intervention.
A Legacy of Love and Revival
While the 1994 West End production was short-lived, "Once on This Island" has enjoyed a lasting legacy. Its 2009 UK revival and a Tony-winning 2017 Broadway reimagining, directed by Michael Arden, reaffirmed its relevance, earning praise for its innovative staging and universal themes. The musical’s exploration of racial and class divides, framed through a folkloric lens, resonates across cultures and generations, making it a standout in the theatrical canon.
Why "Once on This Island" Endures
"Once on This Island" captivates with its blend of fairy-tale simplicity and profound emotional depth. Its celebration of love’s power to bridge divides, set against a lush Caribbean setting, offers a refreshing departure from typical West End fare. For London audiences, its 1994 debut and subsequent revivals have cemented its status as a hidden gem one that invites reflection on unity, sacrifice, and the stories that shape us.