- 80 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
Once: The Musical
About this book
When an Irish busker and a young Czech mother meet through a shared love of music, their songwriting sparks a deep connection and a tender, longing romance that neither of them could have expected.
Based on the much-loved Oscar-winning film, Once is an extraordinary, original and irresistibly joyous celebration of love, friendship and music. With music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, it has a book written by Enda Walsh.
Once won eight Tony Awards when it opened on Broadway in 2012, including Best Book and Best Musical. It opened in Dublin in February 2013 before transferring to the West End.
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Information
FIRST HALF
As the audience takes its seat and waits in the auditorium, there’s a session on stage with musicians and singers belting out songs to one another. It’s raw, chaotic and hugely positive.
Suddenly it’s dark and silent.
A light fades up on the GUY singing ‘Leave’.
Leave
GUY.
I can’t wait for ever is all that you said
Before you stood up
And you won’t disappoint me
I can do that myself
But I’m glad that you’ve come
Now if you don’t mind
Leave, leave,
And free yourself at the same time
Leave, leave,
I don’t understand, you’ve already gone
I hope you feel better
Now that it’s out
What took you so long
And the truth has a habit
Of falling outta your mouth
Well now that it’s come
If you don’t mind
Leave, leave,
And please yourself at the same time
Leave, leave,
Let go of my hand
You said what you came to now
Leave, leave,
Let go of my hand
You said what you have to now
Leave, leave,
Leave, leave,
Let go of my hand
You said what you have to now
Leave, leave…
He’s finished.
He quietly takes the strap off the guitar and slowly lowers the guitar to the ground.
He turns to leave the stage.
Then from the shadows:
GIRL. That song you play – is it yours?
He stops and looks into the darkness but can’t see her just yet.
I know you can talk I just heard you sing – unless you cannot talk and only sing. If you want you can sing me your answer to my question…
GUY (leaving). No thanks.
GIRL. I made you talk just now.
GUY. I could talk already…
GIRL. So you write this song?
GUY. Yeah.
GIRL. It’s very good.
GUY. Thanks.
GIRL. You’re welcome. Hello.
GUY. Hey.
A slight pause.
GIRL. Is it always me who has to start the conversation?
GUY. Well you seem more up for it than I do.
GIRL. It’s not even my language this English.
GUY. You speak it well.
GIRL. I have an accent.
GUY. We all have accents.
GIRL. We are people of the world.
GUY. Right.
GIRL. Do you enjoy being Irish?
GUY. Seriously?
GIRL. I’m always serious – I’m Czech. Are you enjoying your life right now?
GUY. Sorry, what?!…
GIRL. Why do you leave your guitar on the ground?
GUY. I don’t want it any more.
GIRL. Is it too heavy?
GUY. No.
GIRL. You should pick it up – guitars cost money.
GUY. Look I better go…
GIRL. Where?
GUY. To work.
GIRL. What is your work please?
GUY. I fix Hoovers.
GIRL. What is ‘Hoovers’?!
GUY. You know… vacuum cleaners.
GIRL. You fix vacuum cleaners?! My God, really?!! This is incredible! I have here a vacuum cleaner that needs fixing.
Somehow a vacuum cleaner has appeared right beside her.
It was my destiny to meet you today – to listen to your beautiful song – to hear of your fabulous fixing.
GUY. Your destiny?
GIRL. It must be, right?!
GUY. So what’s wrong with it?
GIRL. It doesn’t suck. It’s a Hoover without a suck. What could it be?
GUY. The motor or fan maybe…
GIRL. That’s interesting.
GUY. Normal blockage in your pipes.
GIRL. Oh fascinating.
GUY. I’ll need my tools to have a look.
GIRL. Your tools! My God, this is exciting! This day has such promise! Where is your shop?
GUY. Well it’s my da’s shop. I work with my da.
GIRL. You work with your da, ahh that’s lovely.
GUY. Yeah it’s really lovely.
She hands him the Hoover and picks up his guitar.
GIRL. You fix my Hoover I won’t pay you with money, is this okay?
GUY. No money – right.
GIRL. I can pay you with music… if you like.
GUY. What do you play?
GIRL. My father teach me piano. He played violin with a big orchestra back home but then he gets arthritis – then he gets sad and then he kills himself. Before he go he teach me to play the piano. Piano is easier on the fingers than the violin.
GUY. Well that’s good.
GIRL. I am still alive – I have yet to kill myself.
GUY. So I see.
GIRL. Five minutes ago you want to kill yourself but now I come to play you music and you to save my Hoover. Life is good, hey, even in Dublin.
GUY. I wasn’t thinking of killing myself.
GIRL. Sure – only your guitar. But now I saved your guitar, too. We are saviours you and me, hah? So you fix my Hoover and I pay you with music, yes?
GUY. Do I have a choice?
GIRL. No.
She holds out her hand. They shake on it.
GUY. So you’ve got a piano?
GIRL. Oh a piano in Ireland is too expensive! I have nothing!
GUY. So where do you play?
A piano is wheeled into the space by BILLY.
GIRL. A big man lets me play in his small shop. This is the small shop and this is the big man. His name is Billy.
BILLY. You’re still talking to me, right? Not having you talk to me would kill me! Now about yesterday…
GIRL. We’re grand.
BILLY. I just spoke out of turn...
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Contents
- Author’s Note
- Original Production
- Characters
- List of Songs
- Once
- About the Authors
- Copyright and Performing Rights Information
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Yes, you can access Once: The Musical by Enda Walsh,Glen Hansard,Markéta Irglová in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Literature & British Drama. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.