There’s something magical about Once on this Island A Musical. Curveball Creative with Hayes Theatre Company whisked me away on an 80 minute meander into a visually beautiful and enchanting cultural retelling of ‘one small girl’ (the name of the second song performed), Ti Moune.
Relative newcomer to the stage Thalia Osecueda Santos absolutely shines as Ti Moune. Her performance as a little orphan captured my heart at the beginning of the show. Portraying the young adult Ti Moune, Thalia’s singing and expressive emotions showed an innocent and carefree character full of hope, on the cusp of womanhood, bursting with excitement to start her life. One standout scene was when she was asked to dance by Andrea (Chaya Ocampo) and to the delight and encouragement from the audience, her beat and movement to the music showed a dynamic traditional islander dance.
Leah Howard’s choreography and musical director Dylan Pollard’s work throughout the musical was truly captivating. The whole cast moved together in song and dance seamlessly. Even when they were onstage and changing the set, the actors made it part of the story. I particularly adored the choreography and acting when some characters were part of nature – watch out for the birds and frogs in different scenes, which garnered some laughs.
Rita Naidu’s costume design for Once On This Island A Musical was vibrant and creative. In the retelling of the story of Ti Moune and her search for her love Daniel (Alexander Tye), there was an incredible range of varied and colourful characters. The four gods, Agwe (Googoorewon Knox), Asaka (Paula Parore), Erzulie (Cypriana Singh) and Papa Ge (Rebecca Verrier) were brilliant, performing together to create quite the authoritative presence of the overseeing powers-that-be, and separately in their roles that pulled the audience into their orbit. Rebecca Verrier’s sly Demon of Death was frightening at times!
Ti Moune was an orphan who was taken in after being seen clinging to a tree after a dreadful storm by an elderly couple, Mama Euralie and Tonton Julian. Mama Euralie, played with a huge heart and a matching commanding voice by Zahrah Andrews, was the ever-protective Mama and Sione Mafi Latu portrayed Tonton Julian with a gentle and loving presence.
After seeing Daniel and caring for him after a car accident, she falls deeply in love. There is a problem of the two coming from vastly different classes. This raises boundaries and questions of following the heart, or following family traditions. Bash Nelson (as Armand), Paul Leandre Escorrido and Sara Camara are strong supporting cast members.
Be on the lookout for a history lesson (the backstory of Daniel’s family) told in a most creative way, using shadows and narrative. Kudos to Alexander Tye and Bash Nelson in these scenes. It was almost a nod to shadow puppetry and this added a visual element that was very original and very well performed.
Director Brittanie Shipway, amongst other things, has guided the cast of twelve into sounding like a cast of twenty, with the band onstage at the back, heralding a clear and beautiful accompaniment to the actors’ vocals.
Once On This Island A Musical was a fast moving feast for the eyes and ears, best told as it is with no interval to distrupt the flow. The book and lyrics are by Lynn Ahrens and the music by Stephen Flaherty. This is a fable which imparts messages of love, belonging, culture and connection to our land and gods – I highly recommend seeing this musical and having your heart travel with Ti Moune and her story.
Once On This Island A Musical is playing at The Hayes Theatre 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point
Season run: 2 August – 31 August 2025.
Tickets: $99
www.hayestheatre.com.au/event/once-on-this-island
To book tickets to Once On This Island, please visit https://hayestheatre.com.au/event/once-on-this-island/.
