As theatres reopen around Australia, many will be pleased to see the return of Once, the award-winning musical about ‘Guy’ a Dublin busker and ‘Girl’ a Czech flower-seller, whose romantic journey unfolds through folk rock.
The production has won eight Tony Awards, a Drama Desk Award and Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album. The song Falling Slowly won an Oscar for the 2007 original film version, which starred real life writers of the musical score, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova.
Stefanie Caccamo and Toby Francis in Once Photo credit: Robert Catto
Now with the help of a $605K RISE grant from the Australian Government, Sydney’s Darlinghurst Theatre is launching a 21-week Australian tour of the popular musical. Directed by Richard Carroll, both Toby Francis (Kinky Boots) and Stefanie Caccamo (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) have reprised their roles from the successful 2019 run at the Eternity Playhouse.
“Once came at a hell of a time in my life,” says Francis.
“I was shattered emotionally from massive changes both personally and professionally,” he says.
“Loss was a running theme, as was heartbreak and I connected with Guy on those terms. That feeling of having missed out on the love of your life, and being left bereft. It’s funny feeling that way, because the rest of the world has the audacity to carry on as if yours hasn’t ended, and I just lent into what my life was at that time.“
Toby Francis plays ‘Guy’ in Once Photo Credit: Phil Erbacher
Renowned the world over, one of the reasons for the success of Once comes from its intimacy. Using a minimalist set, akin to Come From Away, the small cast with powerful voices, instruments and infectious music prove just as compelling as any crashing chandelier in an opera house!
“There’s something about the show that is unspeakable but understood,” says Francis.
“It seems like a story about some guy who meets some girl, and they make music for a week and tangle their lives up a bit, but it’s so … honest and real! It isn’t a musical like Wicked or 42nd Street with a big song and dance number. It’s something else. There’s still spectacle in the big band numbers, but it’s like you’re living there watching something you shouldn’t – something meant to be private.”
The cast of Once Photo credit: Robert Catto
For director Richard Carroll, who helmed the 2019 production, the revival comes during our era of COVID uncertainty, definitely marking a change for theatre in general.
“There’s something about the show that is unspeakable but understood”.
“So much of what’s involved in mounting a show in the COVID era happens outside of the rehearsal room,” says Carroll.
“It relies on support from so many other people, particularly the producers and theatre company staff. From risk assessments to cleaning and COVID-sensitive scheduling, it takes even more collaboration and support than normal. We’re really lucky with the support we get, not least of which is from the audience, attending the theatre in masks and observing COVID protocols which allow the show to keep going.”
Having run on the West End, Broadway, Toronto, Seoul and Buenos Aires, and with Australians travelling interstate just to attend the Sydney production, there’s no doubting this musical has impact.
“It’s a story about compassion and vulnerability,” says Carroll.
The cast of Once Photo credit: Robert Catto
“I think that really speaks to our souls. It’s at times both unsentimental and gloriously sentimental, which I find endlessly fascinating. It showcases incredible talent. And I think, above all, like any great musical, it has stunningly beautiful, incredible music, transporting audiences night after night.”
“Powerful voices, instruments and infectious music prove just as compelling as any crashing chandelier!”
“The story is something you have felt before, and understand,” says Francis.
“I hope that’s what audiences will take from Once. A feeling of what they have felt before, where the wound in them doesn’t quite ever heal. That thing we all carry from some hurt to our heart long ago and I hope the audience knows we all feel that.”
For more visit: darlinghursttheatre.com
Director of Once, Richard Carroll Photo credit: Marnya Rothe
