Tony Award-Winning Musical Once Confirms West End Dates, and Prior Dublin Run

By Mark Shenton
12 Oct 2012

Steve Kazee in the Broadway production of Once.
Steve Kazee in the Broadway production of Once.
Photo by Joan Marcus

The Tony-winning Broadway musical Once, based on the 2006 film of the same name set in Dublin, has confirmed dates for its West End transfer, where it will begin performances March 16, 2013, prior to an official opening April 9 at the Phoenix Theatre.

Prior to the West End opening, it will play at Dublin's Gaiety Theatre first, from Feb. 22-March 9.

Directed by John Tiffany, it has a book by award-winning Irish playwright and screenwriter Enda Walsh, music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová based on the motion picture written and directed by John Carney, scenic and costume designs by Bob Crowley, lighting by Natasha Katz, sound by Clive Goodwin, musical supervision and orchestrations by Martin Lowe and movement by Steven Hoggett. 

Casting will be announced shortly.

It will be produced in the West End by Barbara Broccoli, John N. Hart Jr., Patrick Milling Smith, Frederick Zollo, Brian Carmody, Michael G. Wilson, Orin Wolf and Michael Rose Limited in association with New York Theatre Workshop. It was originally developed at the American Repertory Theater (Cambridge, MA) in April 2011.  A developmental run of Once at New York Theatre Workshop began performances in November last year.  

Winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, it revolves around an Irish busker and a young Czech mother who meet through a shared love of music. Their songwriting sparks a deep connection and a tender, longing romance that neither of them could have expected.

To book tickets for the West End run, which go on sale from Oct. 12, contact the box office on 0844 871 7629 or visit Oncemusical.co.uk for more details.