Once the Musical to Close on 21 Mar 2015

The West End production of Once at the Phoenix Theatre has posted closing notices, and will play its final performance on 21 March 2015 ahead of a European tour.

Boyzone star Ronan Keating is set to make his West End debut, when he joins the cast of from 17 Nov 2014 to play the leading role of 'Guy', alongside Jill Winternitz who will continue as 'Girl'. They will both remain in the production until it closes.

The West End production of Once opened on 9 April 2013, following previews from 16 March 2013 and went on to win the 2014 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music.

The original Tony Award winning production has also posted closing notices at Broadway's Bernard B Jacobs Theatre, where it will continue to run until 4 January 2015, after a three year run.

Once opened in London to mainly favourable reviews from the popular press: "the singing is powerful and evocative" (Londontheatre.co.uk); "charmingly funny and affecting production" (Independent); "has a delicate soulfulness and a truthful charm" (The Evening Standard).

Once has music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, with book by Enda Walsh and is based on the motion picture written by John Carney. Directed by John Tiffany, designs & costumes by Bob Crowley, lighting by Natasha Katz, sound by Clive Goodwin. Musical supervision and orchestrations are by Martin Lowe and movement is by Steven Hoggett.

'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 is 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.