Photo Flash: Cast of West End's ONCE Perform in the London Underground

By: Jun. 14, 2013
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Today, Friday 14 June 2013, the Company of the eight time Tony award-winning Once made history as the first West End musical cast to busk on the London Underground. To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the licensed busking scheme on the Tube, the cast of Once spent two hours in Leicester Square Tube station performing songs from the show alongside some of the station's regular buskers.

With a cast led by Declan Bennett as Guy, 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.

Declan Bennett said: "As a singer-songwriter who has done my fair share of busking in the past, it was especially exciting today to have spent time at Leicester Square Tube with my fellow Once cast mates and some of London Underground's regular buskers. My role as the heartbroken busker 'Guy' in Once at The Phoenix Theatre is heavily inspired by my experiences before making the leap to become a professional performer. Today was a great way of reconnecting with that time."

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.

Declan Bennett was joined at Leicester Square Tube Station by Once cast members Valda Aviks, Phoebe Fildes, Ryan Fletcher, AiDan Kelly, Gareth O'Connor, Michael O'Connor, Miria Parvin, Jos Slovick, Flora Spencer-Longhurst, Jez Unwin and Gabriel Vick.

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. TheMartin Guitar Company is the proud sponsor of Once. The original cast recording of Once is available via Masterworks Broadway, a label of Sony Masterworks - www.MasterworksBroadway.com

Any proceeds received from today's busking session will go to Kids Company who provide practical, emotional and educational support to vulnerable children. www.kidsco.org.uk

Photo Credit: Matt Crockett

Photo Flash: Cast of West End's ONCE Perform in the London Underground
Declan Bennett

Photo Flash: Cast of West End's ONCE Perform in the London Underground
Cast of ONCE

Photo Flash: Cast of West End's ONCE Perform in the London Underground
Cast of ONCE

Photo Flash: Cast of West End's ONCE Perform in the London Underground
Cast of ONCE



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