‘Once’ Canadian stars go overseas to connect with characters

TORONTO – In early December, “Once” Canadian musical star Ian Lake pulled out his second-hand guitar on the chilly streets of Dublin and busked for the first time in his life.

Temperatures were around the freezing mark, he felt like his fingers would fall off, and he’d only previously played in his bedroom and for small, private groups.

Still, the Vancouver native pushed through so he could experience what his character goes through.

“By the end of the week I found myself playing in pubs, making a bit of money. It was pretty crazy,” Lake said.

“The hostel I stayed at let me stay for free if I played music in the common room at dinnertime…. It was nice to get over a few nerves. When you stand on the street and just play music for people walking by, you have to sort of let go of your ego.”

Co-star Trish Lindstrom of Toronto has also travelled in recent months in an effort to connect with her character in Mirvish Productions’ all-Canadian show, which begins performances Feb. 10 at the Ed Mirvish Theatre.

Due to popular demand, performances of the Tony Award-winning stage show have been extended through May 31.

Based on the 2007 Oscar-winning film, the show follows Irish busker Guy (Lake) as he gets to know Girl (Lindstrom), a Czech immigrant who reignites his passion for music and romance during one week in Dublin.

Marketa Irglova and Glen Hansard starred in the film and also composed and performed all of the songs, earning an Oscar for the tender piano-guitar ballad “Falling Slowly.”

Lindstrom said she went to Hungary and Czech Republic and visited Irglova’s hometown to “get the flavour of the people.”

Lake said his trip allowed him to not only busk but also pick up the Irish accent, have dinner with Hansard, and go to London to watch the West End production of “Once.”

All of the cast members perform their own instruments, with some playing as many as five over the course of the show.

Lake has been playing guitar for 10 years and Lindstrom played piano as a child.

The show is bringing her “back to some deep roots of music,” said the former Stratford Festival star.

“My grandmother was also a singer, she sang in choirs. Music was a big part of my family, so it is an honour to be able to play in a show.”

Lake, also a Stratford Festival favourite, said the show has made him grow as a performer.

“Those are the jobs you look for — the ones that challenge you to take something that you can do but explore it in a new way and enter new territory and break down walls of nerves and lack of confidence or whatever and just step out.”