Media Gallery
Rehearsal Photographs
Production Photographs
Suitable for all the family
Running time approx 1 hour 55 minutes including one interval
- Director: Susie McKenna
- Choreographer: Deirdre Lovell
- Co-Musical Director: Ian MacGregor
- Co-Musical Director: Orphy Robinson
- Designer: Lotte Collett
- Lighting Designer: Philip Gladwell
- Sound Designer: Paul Gavin
- Vocal Supervisor: Martin Lowe
Special Dates
- After Dark : Thu 11 June
- Spotlight : Wed 17 June
- Theatre Day : Thu 18 June
- BSL Interpreted Performance : Thu 18 June
- Audio Described & Captioned Performance : Fri 19 June
Audio
- Audio Introduction to the show
- Listen to this page from our Audio Brochure
- Listen to a song from the show
- Audio Introduction to the set
- Audio Introduction to the characters
Three Course Dinner Available: Find out more
Useful Links
Birmingham Repertory Theatre in association with Nottingham Playhouse and Hackney Empire presents
Once On This Island
Fri 5 Jun 2009 – Sat 20 Jun 2009
Main House
Book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Music by Stephen Flaherty
Based on the novel by Rosa Guy
Once On This Island is a vibrant and passionate story infused with infectious reggae and calypso rhythms. It tells the story of a beautiful peasant girl who falls in love with a wealthy Creole planter. However, the course of true love is put to the test as the young girl must prove to the island’s mythical gods that the power of love is stronger than death.
Once On This Island is the highly acclaimed Broadway musical adaptation of the popular fairytale The Little Mermaid written by Tony award-winning authors Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens. The musical received its European premiere at The REP in 1994 when it won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical.
Joining the cast will be Sharon D Clarke, best known for her role in the popular TV drama Holby City and as a judge on the recent Last Choir Standing. As an acclaimed singer Sharon has appeared in many West End shows including We Will Rock You, Chicago, Guys And Dolls and The Lion King.
“90 minutes of rousing musical theatre. One lush tune after another. Everyone is likely to emerge from the theatre ready to dance down the street”
New York Times
“Vivacious, exotic and scored to a calypso-reggae beat Once On This Island is a Caribbean cruise of a musical that offers audiences an abundance of diversions and sunny ports of call.”
LA Times
After its run at The REP, Once On This Island will play at:
Wed 24 June to Sat 11 July Nottingham Playhouse
Fri 24 July to Sun 16 August Hackney Empire
| Date | Time | Date information |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 5th Jun 2009 | 19:30 | |
| Sat 6th Jun 2009 | 19:30 | |
| Mon 8th Jun 2009 | 19:30 | |
| Tue 9th Jun 2009 | 19:00 | |
| Wed 10th Jun 2009 | 19:30 | |
| Thu 11th Jun 2009 | 19:30 | After Dark |
| Fri 12th Jun 2009 | 19:30 | |
| Sat 13th Jun 2009 | 14:00 | |
| Sat 13th Jun 2009 | 19:30 | |
| Mon 15th Jun 2009 | 19:30 | |
| Tue 16th Jun 2009 | 19:30 | |
| Wed 17th Jun 2009 | 19:30 | Spotlight |
| Thu 18th Jun 2009 | 14:00 | Theatre Day |
| Thu 18th Jun 2009 | 19:30 | BSL Interpreted Performance |
| Fri 19th Jun 2009 | 19:30 | Audio Described & Captioned Performance |
| Sat 20th Jun 2009 | 19:30 |
- Asaka (Mother Earth): Sharon D Clarke
- Agwe (God of Water): Johnny Amobi
- Erzulie (Goddess of Love): Lorna Brown
- Papa Ge (Demon of Death): Jo Servi
- Mama Euralie: Melanie La Barrie
- Tonton Julian: Mensah Bediako
- Ti Moune: Shyko Amos
- Daniel Beauxhomme: Wayne Perrey
- Armand: Robert Grose
- Andrea Deveraux: Yaa
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Comments
Shango from USA
The buzz about this amazing production has reached our shores. We wish you much success with this fierce ensemble!
Julie and Lil from Birmingham
Wow ! Saw the show last night, acting excellent, singing fabulous, really uplifting, gripped from the start - go and see it !!!
Gemma from Birmingham
Absolutely LOVED it I'd recommend this to ANYONE!
Annette R from Birmingham
It was a great production. The singing, acting, live music, use of props and stage, excellent. Well worth seeing
Jon from Wolverhampton
Absolutely awesome & a great start to the summer. The singing is superb and I would recommend it to everyone!
Ted Heath from Solihull
Saw the show last night (Tuesday 9th June) and what an exhilarating experience. Masses of energy, emotion and passion from the cast. A basically simple and well known story (Little Mermaid) that hooked you and pulled you in to its world and into the emotional journey undertaken by Ti Moun. All of the cast were on top form, the musicisians likewise and everybody in the house thoroughly enjoyed the experience. THANKS TO EVERYONE.
Nikki from Sutton Coldfield
A-MAZ-ING!! Loved the show - the whole production was brilliant, sets, music, singing and dancing. Something to cheer us all up during the gloomy summer weather and credit crunch with a traditional story that engages with both humour and pathos. If you have the chance to go, DON"T MISS IT!
Rachel from Halesowen
Saw this last night. Singing and acting excellent from everyone. The orchestra played some fabulous music to accompany this wonderful show. Real feel good factor on a very dismal summer's night. Go and see it!
Joan Hunter from Birmingham
I saw this show last night and I went to bed smiling and woke up smiling. Oh what delight it was joyous, vibrant, funny, uplifting, entertaining and a history lesson on top of that, so the only way I could describe to my friends I called immediately having left the show, was I was going home to eat but after that performance we Caribbean’s would simply say 'me belly full' translated as I have had my fill for the night!! I would like to congratulate the Director on a great musical story, the musicians were great and the cast were just 'FABULOUS' what a wealth of talented performers. I will be back on Friday and Wednesday to bring others to see this production. I would like the Rep to Broadcast this on the Birmingham City Council Schools website and suggest to history class and drama groups even English teachers to bring their pupils to come along and see this Great Production. I shall be spreading the word!! Well Done, the pleasure was truly mine.
Lorna from Birmingham
I saw the show last Friday 5th June with two friends and we loved it. There are so many things to praise, and here I can only mention a few. The lead actors were superb - singing and portraying their respective characters. I felt that I was living the story with them. The whole company gave enthusiasm, passion as well as wonderful singing voices to a fantastic musical play with uplifting beautiful songs & music.
D Beckford from Rubery Birmingham
Great show the actors and musicians were excellent.will be spreading the word
Georgie from Birmingham
Seen this show twice and just booked my third ticket! The performances are wonderful. See while you've got the chance, it's great fun.
Beth and Lil' Josh from Birmingham
Had a brilliant time, everyone was dancing around and enjoying themselves by the end of the show. Really really really want to see it again so that we can keep up with the variety of songs! Can't wait to go to another show that is hosted by the REP! Thanks for a great Evening, it was the best this year! Josh and Beth
Linda from Gloucester
I'd hadn't heard of once on this island before and when i went to see it with my school i was amazed at how wonderfull it was. It was the first musical i had seen and it was fantastic and the singing made me want to dance along with all the cast. I really enjoyed it and i absolutely loved jo servi's voice and his acting he made me laugh when he was dressed up as a tree/plant thing with leaves around his sunglasses. I recomend that everyone sees this musical because i know they will enjoy it as much as me.
Ron from Solihull
Saw the show last time round and even went back later that week to see it again - yes it is that good. Can't wait til Saturday.
Amber from england
I went with my school to see this and it was amazing! They were all amazing singers and dancers and actors and made the play lively and fun! I had never heard of it and i went to see it on a school trip and was excited. When i saw it, i was amazed at how good it was. Jo servi was really good and made me laugh when he acted and especially danced! Also Wayne was really good! I want to see it again!
Rose from Birmingham
I saw this show the last time the rep did it & totally loved it. I can't wait to see it again & introduce my son to it.