For one night only, the Olivier Award-winning musical Once On This Island transforms the majestic Theatre Royal Drury Lane into the vibrant Caribbean archipelago of the French Antilles. This special concert presentation features the London Musical Theatre Orchestra and an all-star cast of Black British talent, bringing the lush, calypso-infused score to life on a grand scale. Based on the novel My Love, My Love by Rosa Guy, the story is a Caribbean retelling of The Little Mermaid that tackles profound themes of colourism, class, and colonial legacy.
The narrative follows Ti Moune, a peasant girl who rescues a wealthy boy from the other side of the island, Daniel, and falls in love with him. Unbeknownst to her, the pompous gods who preside over the island—Papa Ge (Death), Asaka (Mother of the Earth), Agwe (Water), and Erzulie (Love)—wager a bet on which is stronger: love or death. What unfolds is a heartbreaking yet joyous tale of sacrifice and the power of storytelling to tear down walls between divided communities.
This concert edition places the music front and center, allowing the intricate vocal arrangements and rhythmic complexity of the score to shine. It serves as a powerful reminder of the show’s cultural significance, celebrating the resilience of the human spirit in the face of prejudice. It is a rare opportunity to hear the full orchestral power of this beloved musical in one of London’s most historic venues.
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