Once On This Island (2023)
10 May – 10 June
Once On This Island, directed by Ola Ince, opened our 2023 season. With a book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty, this production revived the 1990 Broadway musical.
The cast
Stephenson Ardern-Sodje
Daniel
![Stephenson Ardern-Sodje in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/9b30b00a-6ec2-44c5-8fe7-ec77b5b77e17_ADERN-SODJIE+Stephenson.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,403,1290,806&w=160&h=100)
Bernadette Bangura
Ensemble / Cover Erzulie
![Bernadette Bangura in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/5631256cc7e82b04a00dbc14454db2dad5bc03af_bernadette.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Courtney-Mae Briggs
Andrea
![Courtney-Mae Briggs in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/32743285-62e7-48a8-9dc2-b0f6733f3025_BRIGGS_+Courtney-Mae.jpeg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,391,1179,737&w=160&h=100)
Gabrielle Brooks
Ti Moune
![Gabrielle Brooks in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/1778bfd5-8fce-4709-87c7-43aca3ea236d_BROOKS_+Gabrielle.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,858,2746,1716&w=160&h=100)
Hanna Dimtsu
Swing / Dance Captain
![Hanna Dimtsu in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/31230f0d-01e2-42cf-9973-051cf05bbe08_DIMTSU_+Hanna.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,1361,4356,2723&w=160&h=100)
Jonathon Grant
Armand / Cover Agwe
![Jonathon Grant in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/333343d5-d288-46db-bebe-591a1a33692e_GRANT_+Jonathon.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,300,960,600&w=160&h=100)
Emilie Louis Israel
Erzulie
![Emilie Louis Israel in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/69d3442f-5b89-483f-ab6d-9f27bf14be01_ISRAEL_+Emilie+Louise.jpeg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,855,2580,1613&w=160&h=100)
Chris Jarman
Tonton Julian
![Chris Jarman in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/c692015a-3155-4d96-9738-dfe9392c2f78_JARMAN_+Chris.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,300,960,600&w=160&h=100)
Anelisa Lamola
Asaka
![Anelisa Lamola in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/459d82f2-16dd-46fc-94d3-b78f8ea57e6d_LAMOLA_+Anelisa.jpeg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,373,853,533&w=160&h=100)
Cassandra Lee
Ensemble / Cover Mama & Asaka
![Cassandra Lee in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/dd66c4f3-f762-4e84-8b24-dab2c664d3ce_LEE_+Cassandra.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,403,1290,806&w=160&h=100)
Natasha Magigi
Mama Euralie
![Natasha Magigi in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/5a79f48f-53e1-4853-bb12-0c4e4045ee4f_MAGIGI_+Natasha.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,468,1290,806&w=160&h=100)
Newtion Matthews
Ensemble / Cover Tonton / Cover Papa Ge
![Newtion Matthews in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/38602f32-e09a-4332-9b66-3fe7e540db99_MATTHEWS_+Newtion.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,259,828,518&w=160&h=100)
Antoine Murray
Ensemble / Cover Daniel & Armand
![Antoine Murray in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/dd05e5ef-1885-4ca1-90cd-ad47df3de999_OAT_Logo_CYMK%5B1%5D+copy.png?auto=compress,format&rect=0,323,1125,703&w=160&h=100)
Nay-Nay
Swing
![Nay-Nay in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/1e25507a-c46e-403f-8abc-add5666aabaf_NAY-NAY.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,500,1600,1000&w=160&h=100)
Cherece Richards
Ensemble / Cover Ti Moune
![Cherece Richards in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/bdc92bb7-4d07-4d71-b464-253a921e2b3e_RICHARDS_+Cherece.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,750,2400,1500&w=160&h=100)
Ashley Samuels
Agwe
![Ashley Samuels in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/046dc09a-4182-4e86-b572-f078f847fce9_SAMUELS_+Ashley.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,1161,2995,1872&w=160&h=100)
Lejaun Sheppard
Papa Ge
![Lejaun Sheppard in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/dd05e5ef-1885-4ca1-90cd-ad47df3de999_OAT_Logo_CYMK%5B1%5D+copy.png?auto=compress,format&rect=0,323,1125,703&w=160&h=100)
Creative team
Philip Bateman
Musical Director
![Philip Bateman in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/1d7e1c56-9689-4824-8b43-f7a6b34ad03d_6e4b3408-417e-4474-ba65-764d21753fe3_OAT%2Bfor%2BHeritage.avif?auto=compress,format&rect=0,79,420,263&w=160&h=100)
Aundrea Fudge
Voice & Dialect Coach
![Aundrea Fudge in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/1d7e1c56-9689-4824-8b43-f7a6b34ad03d_6e4b3408-417e-4474-ba65-764d21753fe3_OAT%2Bfor%2BHeritage.avif?auto=compress,format&rect=0,79,420,263&w=160&h=100)
Niamh Gaffney
Associate Sound Designer
![Niamh Gaffney in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/1d7e1c56-9689-4824-8b43-f7a6b34ad03d_6e4b3408-417e-4474-ba65-764d21753fe3_OAT%2Bfor%2BHeritage.avif?auto=compress,format&rect=0,79,420,263&w=160&h=100)
Jessica Hung Han Yun
Lighting Designer
![Jessica Hung Han Yun in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/e1fe3408-3e46-4b26-9a70-dc6ab802b1d9_Screenshot+2023-11-22+122521.png?auto=compress,format&rect=0,72,331,207&w=160&h=100)
Ola Ince
Director
![Ola Ince in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/915646d4bf9f33a73f0403d8b484e0e9eaa53221_oat-for-heritage.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Niquelle LaTouche
Associate Choreographer
![Niquelle LaTouche in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/e1fe3408-3e46-4b26-9a70-dc6ab802b1d9_Screenshot+2023-11-22+122521.png?auto=compress,format&rect=0,72,331,207&w=160&h=100)
Nick Lidster for Autograph
Sound Designer
![Nick Lidster for Autograph in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/4e1523b8fe0ee292849b0f34244d8d627ff416cc_nick_v1_small.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Georgia Lowe
Set Designer
![Georgia Lowe in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/e1fe3408-3e46-4b26-9a70-dc6ab802b1d9_Screenshot+2023-11-22+122521.png?auto=compress,format&rect=0,72,331,207&w=160&h=100)
Ingrid Mackinnon
Season Associate: Intimacy Support
![Ingrid Mackinnon in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/e5023c83-2447-4283-82da-74acdec20b2f_OAT+for+Heritage.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,159,1956,1223&w=160&h=100)
Lindsay McAllister
Associate Director
![Lindsay McAllister in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/13c4cd26-15dd-461c-ad5e-0b99158b5d75_Lindsay+McAllister.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,435,1290,806&w=160&h=100)
Rachel Murphy
Assistant Musical Director
![Rachel Murphy in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/e1fe3408-3e46-4b26-9a70-dc6ab802b1d9_Screenshot+2023-11-22+122521.png?auto=compress,format&rect=0,72,331,207&w=160&h=100)
Philip D'Orléans
Fight Director
![Philip D'Orléans in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/e1fe3408-3e46-4b26-9a70-dc6ab802b1d9_Screenshot+2023-11-22+122521.png?auto=compress,format&rect=0,72,331,207&w=160&h=100)
Chris Poon
Musical Director
![Chris Poon in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/00820527-0452-4752-b15d-aef20bac5a1a_LegallyBlonde_Postshow_240522_9.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,467,1067,667&w=160&h=100)
Kenrick 'H20' Sandy
Choreographer
![Kenrick 'H20' Sandy in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/e1fe3408-3e46-4b26-9a70-dc6ab802b1d9_Screenshot+2023-11-22+122521.png?auto=compress,format&rect=0,72,331,207&w=160&h=100)
Melissa Simon-Hartman
Costume Designer
![Melissa Simon-Hartman in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/e1fe3408-3e46-4b26-9a70-dc6ab802b1d9_Screenshot+2023-11-22+122521.png?auto=compress,format&rect=0,72,331,207&w=160&h=100)
Jacob Sparrow
Casting Director
![Jacob Sparrow in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/915646d4bf9f33a73f0403d8b484e0e9eaa53221_oat-for-heritage.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Annemette Verspeak
Voice & Text Director
![Annemette Verspeak in Once On This Island (2023)](https://images.prismic.io/open-air-theatre/e1fe3408-3e46-4b26-9a70-dc6ab802b1d9_Screenshot+2023-11-22+122521.png?auto=compress,format&rect=0,72,331,207&w=160&h=100)
Reviews
Evening Standard
"An array of belting anthems, insistent rhythms and sly wit."
The Times
"Gabrielle Brooks is superb"
The Guardian
"If this outdoor theatre had a roof, Anelisa Lamola's earth goddess would raise it."
Time Out
"The sung-through score is heartstoppingly lush, a joyous musical tide that runs through the night like a river of glowing sound."
The Stage
"Gabrielle Brooks radiates star quality."
WhatsOnStage
"Soars and sizzles as it reinvents a familiar folk tale and salutes the power of collective storytelling."