Interview with Sarah Moss, Once The Musical

Written by Emmie.

Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová and Enda Walsh’s award-winning musical Once is being revived at the Barn Theatre this summer. This modern-day musical is about a busker and an immigrant and their eventful week in Dublin. They write, rehearse and scrape together enough money to record a demo album with a motley crew of bar friends, in a collaboration that evolves into a powerful, very complicated but beautiful love story.

To celebrate the launch of this production, we have an interview with Sarah Moss who will be playing Girl in the exciting revival of Once.

`Sarah Moss and Tomas Wolstenholme in Once. Photo by Alex Tabrizi`

To begin with, can you tell us about your journey into theatre, where did it start for you?

When I was five and living in Germany. I was cast in the Christmas show about a sunbeam- the lead role- but found out that we were moving countries and wasn’t able to do it. I still remember the heartbreak of that! Then, when I was seven, I was cast in the junior chorus of a pantomime in the Midlands. My nana had taught me ‘Edelweiss’ to sing in the audition (which I barely did because I was too shy) but when the pianist stopped because the song had finished, I shouted at her to continue because my nana had advised me to repeat the verse at the end. Apparently, my attitude impressed them (a technique that doesn’t work now…). Long story short, I’ve been auditioning, embarrassing myself, and having my heart broken ever since.

When you first heard that The Barn in Cirencester would be doing a revival of Once, what made you want to be a part of it?

I loved the show when it was in town and I’ve always wanted to play the role.

Is this revival very different to the production that we had in the West End around 2014?

It is! It is the same script and score and so fans of the original will still love it, but we’ve been able to go back to the script and look at the story that we want to tell and decide how we want to tell it. The musical arrangements are different- there are some electric guitars and atmospheric synths- the design concept is bold and neon and industrial. I think there are some harder edges in there too to match the softness, as well as some surreal, hilarious moments!

Had you watched Once before working on this production, if so, do you think this has influenced how you’ve developed your character?

I have- I watched the 2014 production and I’ve seen the film. I think, if anything, it may have influenced the choices I walked into the audition room with, but now my ‘Girl’ is very much a product of our rehearsal process and the relationships that myself and Tomas Wolstenholme (who plays Guy) and I have created under Dom’s direction. We have talked about the character's relationship to motherhood and to sex and the role that her husband plays in her life. Like Guy, Girl is also dealing with grief and loneliness and this is crucial to understanding the choices that she makes.

You play Girl in this production. What is the significance of her in the story itself?

From the first line, Girl is driven and forthright. She is compelled to help Guy face his feelings and pursue his music but she finds herself falling in love in the process. Everything that Act 1 sets up is subverted in Act 2 and it is now Girl who is forced to confront her feelings. This story is about two people who meet by chance and change each other’s lives- and the lives of those around them- forever.

This production comes with a gorgeous score, what has it been like to recreate that this in this revival?

It’s been incredible- these songs are gorgeous but hearing them played live is a different beast. I’ve really enjoyed watching Alex Turney adapt the songs; listening to the idea and then hearing that idea come to fruition. One of my favourite moments in the play is when Girl watches ‘Gold’ and becomes swept up in the moment- this isn’t a hard scene for me to act!

In rehearsals, what has been the challenge of building this revival?

The challenges are always the same, I think, when you’re building what is essentially a new show: time! But we’ve met those challenges and have, I hope, created a really special show.

If you could snapshot one scene in Once to show to potential audiences, which one would you choose?

That’s a tough one- perhaps the Act 2 scene in the recording studio which leads into ‘When Your Mind’s Made Up’ because as it sets up all the characters brilliantly and shows the unifying power of music. But if I could cheat the question and add on the two scenes that follow I would, because if ‘When Your Mind’s Made Up’ uplifts you then the next two scenes will break your heart.

Why should people come and see Once this summer?

It’s just a beautiful story beautifully told through music. You’ll laugh as much as you’ll cry. And if laughing and crying aren’t your things then I’d challenge you not to, at the very least, tap a toe...