Based on the 2007 Academy Award winning film of the same name by writer and director John Carney, ‘Once’ was a hit critically and commercially despite its relatively small budget.
Since then, the musical has had a tremendous run off-Broadway in NYC before being developed for an Australian season by the Darlinghurst Theatre Company in Sydney who have brought the show to Melbourne at the Comedy Theatre.
Set on the streets of Dublin, ‘Once’ is an enchanting tale about a struggling Irish musician on the verge of giving up, when a charming Czech piano-player takes a sudden interest in his music.
The show features an outstanding ensemble of quadruple threat performers who play their instruments live on stage throughout the play. The leads, Toby Francis (Guy) and Stefanie Caccamo (Girl) have a stage chemistry that’s impossible to ignore.
We were surprised to find out that ‘Once‘ is the only Broadway show with music that has won an Academy Award, Grammy Award, Olivier Award and Tony Award (including Best Musical). The illustrious EGOT is well-deserved with some truly delightful songs with a very Irish twang.
Darlinghurst Theatre Company is renowned for its dedication to the integrity of artists vision, welfare and accessibility. Formed in 1993 by Glenn Terry, this is one of the largest shows they have toured outside of NSW. With a relatively short run in Melbourne, you won’t want to miss it.
With songs from the critically-acclaimed film, including the Oscar-winning song ‘Falling Slowly’, this musical will have you falling in love with the main characters on their ‘will they or won’t they’ journey to record their music, and fall in love, and leave you with the belief in the power of music to connect us all.
– The Plus Ones
