A note from the writer - Jane Morgan

Once in a While began forty-three years ago in 1981. Like so many inspirational ideas ‘it’ happened upon me and I was compelled to write it down at any time - day or night, while in traffic jams or late at night as I was dropping off to sleep. The songs appeared in the style of that great 1930s heart throb, Ivor Novello, the composer and creator of wonderful and hugely popular musicals.

That was draft one, but in December 2023 my friend and actress, Kathryn Hamilton- Hall, introduced me to director David Phipps-Davis and musical arranger Chris Huntley and suddenly a writing team was formed, and the piece began to awaken and unfold at speed. David took the role of dramaturg and helped me develop the original ideas, encouraging me to add new characters and songs to punctuate the plot along with comedy, romance and drama. Meanwhile Chris created the inspired scoring of the songs. It was a magical and hugely enjoyable time as three musical minds worked together to create this version of the story.

After the agony of “killing my darlings”, as Noel Coward would say, with sweeping cuts, my original score was created into the neatly shaped show in existence today.