ONCE the musical is searching for Melbourne’s Best Busker – a talented singer / musician, who will be given the chance to open a performance of ONCE the musical at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre with an onstage jam session.
After putting out the call to Melbourne’s street musicians, ONCE received an overwhelming response from the city’s talented buskers. The team from ONCE sifted through applications and narrowed the field to five finalists that includes: Grim Fawkner – Bendigo; Josh Romig – Doncaster; Melanie Taylor – Southbank; Simon Paparo – Northcote; and Shane Edmunds – Elsternwick.
The public will now determine who Melbourne’s Best Busker is by voting for the five finalists with voting opening today and closing at 5.00pm on Friday 16 January 2015. The winner will be announced on Monday 19 January, with the performance taking place on Thursday 22 January.
Along with opening a performance of ONCE, the winning busker will also win themselves a Martin guitar – a Martin Road Series DRSGT – and four tickets to bring their mates along to see the show. Four runners-up will each receive a pair of tickets to see the show on Thursday 22 January, along with a set of Martin SP Lifespan strings.
Based on the Irish film of the same name which became a surprise international hit in 2006 and won an Oscar for Best Song (Falling Slowly), ONCE follows the tender romance of an Irish busker and a beautiful Czech immigrant. The musical retains the film’s folk rock feel, with music written by Glen Hansard (The Frames) and Markéta Irglová.
The team was inspired to bring the story of ONCE alive and discover the best busking talent on Melbourne’s streets. For more information and to vote for your favourite busker, visit: www.oncemusical.com.au/busker for details.
Image: The Cast of ONCE – photo by Jeff Busby