REVIEW: Once On This Island at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park

Once on this Island has a really special and important message for us in 2023. With crimes being committed every day against non-white communities and with the current backlash the trans community are facing, this is a story that could teach our society a lot. The consequences that segregation can cause are brutal and this really lifts a mirror to the world we’re living in today. 

Beautifully told by the cast and creatives, this is a simple production that utilises the narrative and writing to do most of the work, and luckily it’s brilliant, so it just emphasises the work that Lynn Ahrens (Book and Lyrics) and Stephen Flaherty (Music) have created.

Ola Ince (Director) has lifted this world out of nothing but hasn’t forced any concepts onto us, it’s refreshing and allows the audience to fill in the gaps and use their imagination. Paired with Choreography by Kenrick’H2O’ Sandy, it melts together and becomes a seamless beauty in front of our eyes. 

The big thing that disrupts this beautiful recipe of creativity is the set design, although illuminated by Jessica Hung Han Tub’s gorgeous lighting design, it fails to create the scenes and leaves us feeling it was meant for a different production. The show could be phenomenal but the setting separates the story from its location and we’re left confused by the design choices. 

The casting by Jacob Sparrow was truly wonderful, a better group of performers couldn’t have been brought together if they tried! Led by Gabrielle Brooks, she brings innocence and naivety to the role that charms us and has us willing for her success. With huge vocals that filled the enormous open-air theatre, she’s truly a star. Supported by a wonderful ensemble who all play a huge part in making this story what it is, it’s brought to life with joy, terror and creativity that is admirable. 

This story is truly very special and should be seen by a wider audience. It didn’t blow me away the way I expected it to, perhaps I expected to be more invested in the story or transported into a different world within the piece. The setting pulled you out of that and reminded you of where we were, not really what I wanted from the piece. However, it’s being told by an incredibly talented group of performers who bring the story to life and bring a wonderful, warm, full breath of fresh air into the open-air theatre in Regent’s Park. 

After some not-so-successful revivals in recent years, this could be the beginning of an exciting path of creativity for the theatre. With this beautifully told story playing now, it’s time to allow yourself to explore this talented group of storytellers and attempt to escape the outside world. 

Review by Mark Swale 

Rating: ★★★★

Seat: K50 | Price of Ticket: £55