Diversity takes centre stage in Calgary’s “Once on This Island”

It’s a tale as old as time—star-crossed love torn apart by prejudice. From Pride and Prejudice to Romeo and Juliet, from The Little Mermaid to West Side Story, the story stays the same: love tries to cross the lines that society draws. 

Once on This Island is no different. But this time, it’s told with pounding drums, Caribbean rhythms, and a cast made entirely of people of colour.

This musical reimagining of The Little Mermaid, inspired by Haitian folklore and set on a tropical island, follows Ti Moune, a peasant girl who falls in love with a boy from the other side of the island. Class, race, and fate keep them apart—and the gods are watching.

“And it’s not that I didn’t have a chance before,” says Abiola Famakinwa, who plays Ti Moune. “But it’s like, there’s kind of this expectation that the lead is probably going to be a white actor. And I don’t know, I just really, I think that doing more shows like this can prove that it can be the other way around.”

Famakinwa says that growing up in Ireland and the UK, she rarely saw actors who looked like her on stage. She and her siblings were all born in Ireland, and she’d tell you she’s Irish—but with Nigerian parents, she’s no stranger to standing out. Moving to Calgary didn’t immediately change that, but this show does.

“To not represent [the world] on the stage, and on the screen, and in all places of life is… untruthful. Like, I think it doesn’t make sense,” she says. “It also is just important because it lets other people know that it’s possible.”

Joshua Jack Natabio, who plays Daniel, agrees. After moving from the Philippines, he says seeing the amount of diversity in Calgary is wonderful, but it should be reflected on stage.

“I was really surprised to see a lot of Filipinos here… just being able to see Filipinos on stage even is what makes me happier. Because I think we’re still at a time where we’re still building up to a point where diversity is still being built up on stage,” he says.

And that shared experience—the feeling of being seen—isn’t just for the audience. It’s shaping the cast too.

“My favorite thing about this entire process was that the cast was really able to build a relationship with each other,” says Natabio. “Especially because we’re able to relate to each other as people who come from marginalized groups. Everyone’s just been really empathetic and very supportive of each other.”

As for their favourite parts of performing, both actors light up.

“I actually look forward to being hated in the show,” laughs Natabio. “My character is meant to be very… ignorant. He feeds off Ti Moune’s naiveness, and it was frustrating to explore, but also fun. It’s a big challenge, and that’s what I love about acting.”

Famakinwa’s favourite moment is one of connection and transformation. “There’s a part at the very end when I walk out and everyone is kind of presenting me—and I can feel all the love from the cast in that moment. And the dress is so beautiful,” she adds with a smile. “It’s just this big, emotional moment where you feel what love can really mean.”

Once on This Island runs until May 31 at Storybook Theatre. Tickets at can be found here