Photo Flash: First Look at Declan Bennett, Zrinka Cvitesic and More in West End's ONCE

The eight time Tony award-winning musical Once is currently booking at The Phoenix Theatre to 31 May 2014. 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. Check out a first look below!

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 Hansard and 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), Phoebe Fildes (Ex-Girlfriend), Ryan Fletcher (Svec), AiDan Kelly (Billy), Gareth O'Connor (Eamon), Michael O'Connor (Da), 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 Emily Beacock, Rosanna Beacock, Mia-Jai Bryan and Honey Joyce.

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 withNew York Theatre Workshop.

Photo Credit: Frank Ockenfels

The Cast

The Cast

The Cast

Gabriel Vick and Ryan Fletcher

Declan Bennett and Zrinka Cvitesic

Declan Bennett and Zrinka Cvitesic

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