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 at Chapel Off Chapel in May.
With rehearsals well underway, the cast is preparing to bring this global smash hit to the stage, with director Pip Mushin, at the helm, having enjoyed a stellar run with AG Theatre over the last 18 months including their recent 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; and star of ABC TV’s The Piano and up-and-coming theatre performer, John Yanko as Svec.
The cast also includes 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; and Melbourne musician, actor and composer, Bridget a’Beckett, plays the role of Baruska;
Young performer and violinist, Felix Star, plays Eamon; and 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 – possessing 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.
ONCE
Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran
Season: 8 – 30 May 2026
Bookings: www.chapeloffchapel.com.au
For more information, visit: www.agtheatre.com.au for details.
Image: Mark Taylor and Sian Fuller will lead the cast of Once (supplied)