Based on the critically acclaimed and much-loved film and book by award-winning Irish playwright and screenwriter Enda Walsh, Once tells the uplifting yet yearning story of two lost souls – a Dublin street busker and a Czech musician – who unexpectedly fall in love. Following their relationship across five short days, big changes happen to both of them in little ways. Celebrated for its original score including the Academy Award-winning song Falling Slowly, Once is a spell-binding and uplifting story of hopes and dreams. Once is embarking on its first major UK tour after acclaimed runs on Broadway and in the West End and is heading to Hanley’s Regent Theatre this March.
Taking the lead roles of ‘Guy’ and ‘Girl’ will be Daniel Healy and Emma Lucia after receiving critical and audience acclaim in the production’s premiere last year at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich and Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch. Daniel Healy is a singer-songwriter, musician and actor, who has co-written songs for multi-platinum artist Ronan Keating including the single Breathe, which topped the BBC Radio 2 Playlist. Theatre credits include Backbeat and Once, both in the West End. Emma Lucia made her professional debut as Marilyn and understudying Carole King in the UK Tour of Beautiful, before taking on the role of Girl in Once.
Based on the cult 2007 Irish indie feature, originally shot on a micro-budget of just $160,000, Once premiered at the New York Theatre Workshop in 2011 before transferring to Broadway in 2012. There it won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. Productions have since opened all over the world, including the West End production in 2013 which received the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music.
CAST
Daniel Healy – Guy
Emma Lucia – Girl
Dan Bottomley – Billy
Matthew Burns – Eamon
Ellen Chivers – Reza
Rosalind Ford – Ex-Girlfriend
Lloyd Gorman – Svejc
David Heywood – Emcee
Samuel Martin – Bank Manager
Peter Peverley – Da
Susannah Van Den Berg – Baruska
James William-Pattison – Andrej
(The cast also includes Emma Fraser, Seán Keany, Hanna Khogali and Conor McFarlane)
CREATIVES
Peter Rowe – Director
Libby Watson – Costume Design
Ben Goddard – Musical Supervision
Francesca Jaynes – Choreography
Mark Dymock – Lighting Design
James Cook – Sound Design
Peter Hazelwood – Projection Design
Martin Lowe – Orchestrations
Debbie O’Brien – Casting
How much do the tickets cost?
Tickets are priced from £13 to £36.25
How do I book tickets to watch Once?
Tickets are now on sale and available from the Box Office, by calling 0844 871 7649 or by visiting ATG’s website here.
When is the show?
The show will be opening on Tuesday, 17 March 2020 and will be on until Saturday, 21 March 2020. Evening shows are at 7.30pm while matinee shows will be at 2.30pm on Thursday and Saturday. Please check The Regent Theatre’s website for full details on timings.
- Parking is ample either around the public car parks close to The Regent, but do check the rules. Some parking lots might need you to pay even at night. We parked up at intu Potteries and that cost us £1 (its fixed rate after 6pm).
- Programme Booklets are usually on sale for £5, full details of the show and cast members are featured on it.
- The Regent is a beautiful theatre with ornate decor and traditional seating. It has plenty of performances out throughout the year and lots of variety.
- On arrival at the theatre there are nine steps leading from the front doors to the foyer. There is a small lift suitable for wheelchairs and buggies
- There is lift access to all levels from the foyer (with an audible announcer)
- There is an infra-red sound enhancement system in the auditorium
- Guide, hearing and other working dogs are welcome in all parts of the theatre, and water is provided for them on request
- Accessible toilets are available
About Regent Theatre
The Regent Theatre is a theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Constructed in 1929 as a cinema, it is one of several theatres in the city centre and one of two owned by the Ambassador Theatre Group. The building was converted for full-time use as a theatre in 1999, and since then has hosted a number of shows and musicals. The theatre is also the northern base for the Glyndebourne Touring Opera.
You may want to read this:
Review: Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story 30th Anniversary Tour at The Regent Theatre
Review: Moscow City Ballet’s The Nutcracker at The Regent Theatre
Review: Curtains, A Musical Whodunnit at The Regent Theatre
Photo credit: The Regent Theatre / Mark Senior
