Once Musical Thrills at Iconic Princess Theatre

Written by David Hagger on 03 October 2014.

The smash-hit, multi-award winning musical Once is now playing in Melbourne at the Princess Theatre, after receiving standing ovations on Broadway and in West End London. The World Loves Melbourne was invited to the opening night to experience this worldwide musical sensation. From the very first note, Once draws you in and never lets go. This emotionally captivating musical is the only show to have music that won the Academy Award®, Grammy Award®, Olivier Award and Tony Award®.

The World Loves Melbourne describes the Once musical as a "must see", and as a fresh expression on the complications of love. This is not your typical "la la la" musical, but quirky, almost with punk elements, and more in line with contemporary life than your everyday feel good musical.

Set in modern day Dublin, Once is the story of a Guy who gave up on his music and his love and the Girl who inspired him to dream again. This exhilarating ‘Guy meets Girl’ musical is performed by an extraordinary cast of actor-musicians who sing, dance and play their hearts out on stage. Bringing magic to the roles of Guy and Girl, and performing the Oscar award-winning song ‘Falling Slowly’ are Tom Parsons and Madeleine Jones.

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Tom Parsons shines as the Guy in Once. Since graduating from London’s Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Tom’s stage roles have included Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar (Arena World Tour, including the UK and Australia), as well as being an original cast member in the first Arena Tour in 2012, Mark in Monkee Business at the Manchester Opera House, Nicky and Trekkie in Avenue Q for the Noel Coward Theatre, the Gielgud Theatre and the Wyndhams and understudying Eddie and Sky in Mamma Mia at the Prince of Wales Theatre. Tom also recently sang the lead role of Guy in the concert for the concept album Concrete Jungle by Bobby Cronin at St James Theatre, London.

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Madeleine Jones shines as the Girl in Once. Madeleine graduated from the Actors Centre in 2009. Her theatre credits since then have included Sally Bowles in Cabaret and Jill Mason in Equus, both for the New Theatre, Mole in the Australian Shakespeare Company’s Wind In The Willows, Cissy Franks in Punk Rock for pantsguys and ATYP (which won the Sydney Theatre Award for Best Independent Production), Katie in Girl In Tan Boots for Griffin Independent, Sister Martha in Cyrano de Bergerac (which won the Sydney Theatre Award for Best Independent Production) and Hero in Much Ado About Nothing, both for Sport for Jove productions. In 2014 Madeline appeared in The Incredible Book Eating Boy at the Sydney Opera House and M.Rock for the Sydney Theatre Company. Her screen credits include Devil’s Dust for the ABC, a number of short films and the web series Fragments Of Friday.

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We were given dream seats in the dress circle and imbibed in the VIP suites before the show and during intermission. This was a great way to experience the Once musical. Having said that, the Princess Theatre is an iconic venue with loads of atmosphere to impress patrons no matter where your seats are located. The audience were right into the Once musical from the opening, with Melbourne patrons reactions demonstrating their discernment of the nuances of the stunning script.

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Once truly captivated us at The World Loves Melbourne. The performances of the cast were at times breathtaking and of the highest order. Get on it. #loveonce

Posted in Arts