An exceptional Australian cast led by award-winning director and performer Mark Taylor, and The Voice finalist Sian Fuller, will bring the eight-time Tony award-winning characters from Once to life in this cleverly reimagined production under the stewardship of Melbourne’s critically acclaimed independent production company, AG Theatre. With rehearsals well underway, the cast is preparing to bring this global smash hit to Melbourne’s Chapel off Chapel stage, with preview performances starting from the 8th May. Renowned director Pip Mushin is at the helm of this much loved production, having enjoyed a stellar run with AG Theatre over the last 18 months including their recent sell out productions of Avenue Q and Mamma Mia.
Green Room Award-nominated creative Mark Taylor, who recently directed the recently nominated production of American Psycho, is stepping into the lead role of Guy. Playing alongside Mark is 2021 The Voice semi finalist and seasoned musician, Sian Fuller, who is taking on the lead role of Girl. Both of these incredible performers are joined by a stellar community of talent that includes the highly respected performer Donald Bridges as Da – who has just been announced as the recipient of The MEAA Equity Foundation’s 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award.
The production also stars Western Australian actor and multi instrumentalist Frazer Shephardson as Billy; VCA student, vocalist and violinist Rose Stephens as Reza; actor, singer, and multi-instrumentalist James Frampton as Andrej; star of ABC TV’s The Piano and up-and-coming theatre performer John Yanko as Svec; seasoned international performer of stage and screen William Lopez as the Bank Manager; talented recent graduate of Federation University Misha Gordon takes on the role of Ex-Girlfriend; seasoned Melbourne musician, actor and composer Bridget a’Beckett plays the role of Baruska; young performer and violinist Felix Star plays Eamon; young child stars Lila Colombi, Imogen Young, Emersyn Orchard will play the role of Ivonka. The rest of this talented cast includes Kaiyeesha Kim Tambakau (Kye Tamm) as Emcee; and Jackson Cross and Belinda Jenkin as swings.
Evolving from John Carney’s cinematic success in 2007 into a critically acclaimed stage production, Once has captivated theatregoers on Broadway and in London’s West End, thereby solidifying its distinguished position within the history of Western musical theatre. The production showcases the spell-binding score composed by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, which notably features the Oscar-winning song, “Falling Slowly.” Once possesses the unique distinction of being the sole Broadway production whose musical composition has garnered the Academy Award, Grammy Award, Olivier Award, and Tony Award.
Once is truly a production that combines the infectious rhythm of Irish céili, an incredibly talented cast of actor-musicians, an Academy Award-winning soundtrack and a heart-warming story, following a Dublin-born busker and vacuum-fixer as he meets a young Czech mother with a faulty vacuum cleaner who reinvigorates his passion for music.
Tickets are available for purchase now at https://booktickets.com.au/
A pre-sale offer is currently available, with all tickets priced at $89 until March 30th.
Once The Musical will play at Chapel off Chapel from Wednesday to Sunday from May 8th, 2026 until May 30th, 2026.
CAST LIST:
Mark Taylor – Guy
Sian Fuller – Girl
Frazer Shepherdson – Billy
Rose Chambers – Reza
James Frampton – Andrej
John Yanko – Svec
Will Lopez – Bank Manager
Misha Eve Gordon – Ex-Girlfriend
Bridget a’Beckett – Baruska
Donald Bridges – Da
Felix Star – Eamon
Kaiyeesha Kim Tambakau – Emcee
Lila Colombi – Ivonka
Imogen Young – Ivonka
Emersyn Orchard – Ivonka
Jackson Cross – Swing
Belinda Jenkin – Swing
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Executive Producer: Andrew Gyopar
Director: Pip Mushin
Musical Director: Timothy John Wilson
Choreographer: Jamie White
Production Design: Abbey Stanway
Costume Design: Karen Spencer
Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International (Australasia)
Music & Lyrics by Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová
Book by Edna Walsh
DURATION
2hr 30 min with a 20-minute interval
