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ONCE

 
Joy Watters Review by Joy Watters 4 Published: 3 Jun 2026 Pitlochry Festival Theatre Show Dates: 23 May 2026-27 Jun 2026

Just before the show, the audience is invited on stage to have a drink at the bar, mingling with actor-musicians who entertain with Irish and Czech songs. It’s just a little foretaste of the Dublin-set show, which is built around the performers and the making of music.

A coup for Pitlochry’s Artistic Director, Alan Cumming

The musical, written by Enda Walsh, with music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, is based on John Carney’s 2007 film.

Premiering on Broadway in 2012, Once went on to the West End and Dublin and amassed a slew of awards on both sides of the Atlantic. Now it has its Scottish premiere as part of PFT’s 75th anniversary season.

It is something of a coup for Pitlochry’s Artistic Director, Alan Cumming, to have brought this production, which reunites the original creative team from Broadway and the West End, to the theatre in the hills to open his inaugural season.

The plot is a sort of romantic fairy tale, what might have been but never happened, taking place over a week. Boy meets girl and they do make sweet music, but only of the literal kind. They are called Guy and Girl, no names.

Dylan Wood plays Guy, a busker wanting to chuck in his once-beloved music after his girlfriend leaves him. His first song is a self-pitying, high-pitched, lovelorn lament, which does not bode well, but then Girl (Lydia White), a dynamic Czech immigrant, enters and gives him a good talking to.

Girl has her Czech mates and Dublin chums with whom to make music. She plays the piano while Guy sings and plays the guitar.

The pair grow closer as they try to make an album together with their friends. Girl encourages him to go back to the ex who dumped him. She has a child and a husband but falls for Guy, telling him in Czech that she loves him, but of course he does not speak her language.

While the plot may baffle, it is the execution of the piece by a flawless eight-strong ensemble that brings it to fruition. At the helm is director John Tiffany, collaborating with choreographer Steven Hoggett as they have done since first making the show in 2012. Some of the cast are Once veterans too, all displaying great musicianship and wit in their roles.

It’s all set in the huge dark wood-lined pub (designed by Bob Crowley), so authentic you can almost smell the Guinness.

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The Blurb:

ONCE

Book by ENDA WALSH

Music & Lyrics by GLEN HANSARD & MARKÉTA IRGLOVÁ

Based on the Motion Picture Written and Directed by JOHN CARNEY

By Special Arrangement with Barbara Broccoli, Patrick Millingsmith and Fred Zollo

Performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International

Directed by John Tiffany

Designed by Bob Crowley

Movement Director Steven Hoggett

Music Supervision and orchestrations by Martin Lowe

Lighting Designer Natasha Katz

Sound Designer Clive Goodwin

Casting Director Stuart Burt

A Pitlochry Festival Theatre Production

With music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová and a book by Enda Walsh, Once is the Tony Award-winning musical based on John Carney’s much-loved 2007 film, which introduced the Academy Award-winning song Falling Slowly.

Premiering in New York in 2012 and winning eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Once is now coming to Scotland for the very first time. The original creative team reunite to bring this modern classic to the stage, opening Alan Cumming’s inaugural season as Artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre.

Set in Dublin, the story follows Guy, a disillusioned street musician ready to leave his songs behind, and Girl, a spirited Czech immigrant who challenges him to believe in his talent. With the support of an unconventional group of friends and fellow musicians, they embark on creating an album together.

This achingly beautiful, joyously uplifting show strikes an unforgettable chord and speaks to the power of music to connect us all. From the very first note, Once draws you in and never lets go.