ONCE Extends Booking To May 2014!

The Producers of the eight-time Tony award-winning musical Once today announce that booking for the West End production extends to 31 May 2014, releasing over 200,000 new tickets for sale at The Phoenix Theatre.

With a cast led by Declan Bennett and Zrinka Cviteši? as Guy and Girl respectively, John Tiffany's West End production of the hit musical opened at The Phoenix Theatre in April this year where it has been acclaimed by audiences and critics alike. At each performance, live on stage, the Company play 10 CF Martin guitars, 2 violins, 1 melodica, 1 cello, 2 mandolins, 1 ukelele, 1 bass guitar, 1 banjo, 2 cajon's, 1 drum kit, 1 piano, 1 harmonica and 1 concertina and on the West End's only on-stage bar, audience members can join the cast for the start of the show and at the interval.

Based on the much-loved Oscar-winning film, Once is a celebration of love, friendship and music. When an Irish busker and a young Czech mother 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.

Once has book by award-winning Irish playwright and screenwriter Enda Walsh. Based on the 2007 motion picture written and directed by John Carney, music and lyrics are by Academy Award winning Glen Hansardand Markéta Irglová who, for Falling Slowly, won the Oscar for Best Original Song. Scenic and costume designs are by Bob Crowley, with lighting by Natasha Katz, sound by Clive Goodwin, musical supervision and orchestrations by Martin Lowe and movement by Steven Hoggett. Once won the 2013 Grammy award for Best Musical Theatre album. The Martin Guitar Company is the proud sponsor of Once.

Declan Bennett and Zrinka Cviteši? are joined by Valda Aviks (Baruska), Ryan Fletcher (Svec), AiDan Kelly (Billy), Gareth O'Connor (Eamon), Michael O'Connor (Da), Miria Parvin (ex girlfriend), Jos Slovick (Andre), Flora Spencer-Longhurst (Reza), Jez Unwin (Bank Manager) and Gabriel Vick (Emcee). Alternating the role of Girl's young daughter Ivanka will be Mia-Jai Bryan, Pacha Anna Green, Honey Joyce and Nancy Ann Jeans.

Once was originally developed at the American Repertory Theater (Cambridge, Massachusetts) in April 2011. A developmental run of Once at New York Theatre Workshop began performances in November 2011. The production went on to break box office records and concluded a sold out engagement including a two week extension. The Broadway production of Once continues at the Bernard B. Jacob's Theatre and the North American tour begins in the Autumn. The Oscar winning independent Irish film was shot in 17 days and was made for $150,000. It went on to gross $20m worldwide becoming a critically acclaimed international smash.

The original cast recording of Once is available via Masterworks Broadway, a label of Sony Masterworks -www.MasterworksBroadway.com

The Producers of the West End production are 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.