10 mars 2015

"ONCE " PIECE MUSICALE






   


Once - Phoeni       REVUE

On March 21, 2015, after a little under two years at the Phoenix Theatre, Once The Musical will complete its West End run. It was, therefore, somewhat belatedly that I went along to see this extraordinary show that has not only won the theatre industry’s most prestigious awards but also captivated audiences both here and in America.

But what is it about this relatively simple story that tugs so at the heart strings?

Maybe it’s simplicity itself. Based on the much-loved Oscar-winning film, Once is about an Irish busker and a young Czech mother, who meet purely by chance; their love of music sparking a deep connection and a tender, longing romance that neither of them could have expected.

Could it also be because the script is both witty and bitter-sweet, cleverly depicting two young people who are obviously falling in love with each other but are afraid to admit it for fear of rejection? That’s something we can all empathise with.

Or could it be because the roles of Guy and Girl are currently played with such disarming sincerity by Ronan Keating and Jill Winternitz

Keating, here making a very creditable West End debut, captures the charm and insecurities of a young man disillusioned by love and fearful of breaking away from the monotony of his every day existence. Moreover, his unique voice more than does justice to the songs, among them the haunting Oscar-winning Falling Slowly.

Winternitz, too, is superb and imbues her character with both charm and vulnerability thereby ensuring that her determination to help isn’t misconstrued as, at best, interference, at worst, downright bossiness. No mean feat given the enormity of the undertaking. More importantly, the onstage chemistry between her and Keating is totally and utterly believable.

Could yet another reason for the show’s success be the combined talents of the remaining cast members, actor/musicians all, who present a formidable entourage of Irish and Czech characters? As so often is the case in a West End production, to mention one and not another would be to do them all a grave injustice. Suffice to say none disappoint.

Bob Crowley’s simple set design with its surrounding mirrors is inspired and adds a whole new dimension to proceedings; another reason perhaps why Once continues to delight West End audiences. And I haven’t even mentioned John Tiffany’s skilful direction…

Personally, I think it’s a combination of all six (plus a few I haven’t mentioned) but whatever, one thing is certain, Once is a remarkable show and with just two weeks remaining, I’d urge you to go along to the Phoenix Theatre and buy a ticket. You won’t be disappointed.













REVIEW: Ronan Keating Makes Impressive West End Debut In 'Once'

★★★★






Ronan Keating in Once review: Possibly the best thing he's ever done

Once, Phoenix theatre, review: Boyzone's Ronan Keating melts hearts in his West End debut

Ronan Keating: West End debut in Once 'liberating'

























About a girl
















It’s my Once in a lifetime chance: Ronan Keating ready for West End debut







17 novembre 2014








17 NOVEMBRE 2014
LaughingBravo




Sneak peek at... Ronan Keating in Once

Production photos of Ronan Keating in Once have been released. The Boyzone star joined the West End musical as Guy earlier this week, taking over from David Hunter. He stars opposite Jill Winternitz as Girl. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

Based on the much-loved Oscar-winning film, Once bursts onto the stage with a musical celebration of love, friendship and Irish music performed by cast of actor/musicians. A chance encounter between a girl and guy from different worlds but with a shared love of music and songwriting sparks a deep connection and a tender, unexpected romance.
















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Ronan Keating Standing Ovation in First Performance of Once last night!

Ronan Keating made his West End debut in hit musical Once last night In a moving performance which he dedicated on Twitter to Stephen Gately.  Hellodarling.co.uk went along to check it out – and we were bowled over by the fantastic show!  A bit like an intimate gig, Keating’s voice is showcased here to amazing effect surrounded by this great cast of professional stage actors and singers.  The audience responded to the sensational performance with a resounding standing ovation and roars of approval!  We recommend getting down to the Phoenix Theatre before March when this lovely show ends.

The moving and funny show tells the story of disenchanted Dublin busker Guy (Keating) and his chance meeting with straight-talking Czech Girl (Jill Winternitz) – and follows the twists and turns in their journeys towards true love.

The strand that unites the two – and the other characters – is music.  Described as a play with songs as much as a musical, Once is performed by an incredible cast of actor / musicians who remain on stage throughout the show and who play, sing and dance.  

 The Oscar winning songFalling Slowly is a fabulous combination of uplifting and tear-jerking and it soars in the hands of Keating and Winternitz – many of the audience were clearly moved to tears.

There were a good proportion of Ronan Keating fans in the audience last night, who especially enjoyed a cheeky on-stage costume change by the star – but overall it’s clever casting as he feels and sounds very natural.

Perhaps not surprisingly – as Keating commented before opening the Dublin based show ‘this was my home town, my people, and the place where I began my own music career’.
Well congratulations from us Ronan and the rest of the cast – a fabulous first night performance in this beautiful show!
Posted by Hello Darling
























17.11.2014

Standing ovation pour la première de ONCE avec  RONAN KEATING dans le rôle du 'guy' et JILL WINTERNITZ dans le rôle de la "girl".



17 novembre2014

Good luck to night . X

So finally it's time to make my west end Debut on  thank you everyone that helped me get this far. Steo this ones for you. X

uck to night   X












Ronan Keating: ‘Acting the role of a singer does my head in’

The ex-Boyzone singer-songwriter talks about the challenge he faces taking on the lead role in hit West End musical Once


Ronan Keating: ‘A musical is never something I thought I’d do.’ Photograph: Hugo Glendinning for the Observer
Singer-songwriter Ronan Keating, 37, has sold 40m records worldwide, first with Boyzone, then as a solo artist. Most recently, he’s been a judge on Australian X-Factor (mentoring this year’s winner, 15-year-old Marlisa Punzalan). But he faces arguably his greatest challenge this month as he joins the London West End cast of the Tony- and Olivier-winning musical Once to play the role of Dublin busker Guy.

“A musical is never something I thought I’d do,” he admits. “But it was the combination of great dialogue from playwright Enda Walsh and great songs. I just fell in love with it. I thought, I can do this. Now I have to say that I’m very anxious about the whole thing.”

He’s quietly been auditioning for film roles for the past few years, narrowly missing out on a part in The Hobbit. Last year, he landed the lead in Australian film Goddess, opposite Laura Michelle Kelly, which was universally panned. But when he was approached by Once director John Tiffany, who created theatrical hits Black Watch and Let the Right One In, he knew it was the right fit.

It must be second nature playing a singer on stage? No, he says firmly: “This sounds weird, and I’m not trying to talk about myself in the third person, but I’m not Ronan Keating on that stage. So acting the role of a singer slightly does my head in.”

In many ways, Once is the anti-musical. There are no flying sets and high-kicking chorus girls. The stage is a bar-room where the cast play fiddle, guitar, drums, accordion and mandolin. “That’s the brilliance of director John Tiffany,” Keating says. “It’s not overly executed or miked, it’s not in your face. At the beginning, the audience are invited on stage for a pint.”

Based on the low-budget 2007 film, Once explores unrequited love and life’s missed opportunities. “It’s that kind of Dublin mentality: you just have to grin and bear some things,” Keating says. But can a pop star, who became famous at 16, identify with his character who works in a Hoover repair shop? He laughs and says he worked part-time in a shoe shop before Boyzone took off. His mother was a hairdresser, his father a trucker. He grew up, one of five children, around north Dublin. “I understand it very well. I just hope I can do the role justice.”

Keating is currently in Australia where he’s been based for X-Factor. During the day, he’s rehearsing with Tiffany and the Melbourne cast of Once (the show opened there last month). In the evenings, he’s brushing up his guitar skills “until my fingers can’t play anymore”. He’s enjoyed the beach lifestyle, and is engaged to Oz producer Storm Uechtritz, but they are returning to live in Dublin to be near his three children from his previous marriage “and to get back to my roots a little bit”.

Before that, though, he has eight shows a week in a musical to perform. “I’m not doing Once to prove that I’m worldly or cultured. I just love the role.”

You sense Keating relishes a challenge. He was the first member of Boyzone to go solo. In 2011 he released an album with Burt Bacharach. “Being in a boyband, everyone has an opinion of all of us, and what we do. There was a time I fought with that. I’m OK with it now.”

After a lifetime in showbiz, theatre has been a revelation. “After 20 years in the public eye, it’s a brand new world.”

Ronan Keating joins the cast of Once on 17 November, Phoenix theatre, London WC2


RONAN KEATING BRINGS ONCE TO A CLOSE

once has announced its Olivier Award-winning West End run will come to a close on 21 March, two years after it made its London premiere at the Phoenix Theatre.


























ONCE SITE 
TWITTER








jILL WINTERNITZ IS RONAN KEATING’S GIRL

Reporter: Kate Stanbury, first published Fri 29 Aug 2014 


Once’s current Girl, Jill Winternitz will star alongside Ronan Keating when the pop star joins the cast of the hit West End musical in November.

Winternitz, who took over from Olivier Award winner Zrinka Cvitešić in May, will continue in the role of a young Czech mother who meets an Irish busker (Keating) in the tale of love friendship and music.

One fifth of hit pop band Boyzone, Keating joins Once from 17 November, replacing the musical’s current Guy, David Hunter

He joins a cast that also includes Fiona Bruce, Jamie Cameron, Mark Carlisle, Matthew Ganley, Mathew Hamper, Daniel Healy, Loren O’Dair, Miria Parvin, Tim Prottey-Jones and Jez Unwin.

Based on the Oscar-winning film of the same name and featuring a book by Irish playwright Enda Walsh, the production is renowned for its unique sound with a score including Leave, Gold, When You’re Mind’s Made Up and Falling Slowly.

The musical, which picked up two Olivier Awards at this year’s ceremony, is currently booking at the Phoenix Theatre until 4 July 2015.


ONCE



Winternitz Continues Opposite Ronan Keating In ONCE, From November


Today (29 August 2014), the producers ofOnce announce that Jill Winternitz will be continuing in the role of Girl opposite the previously announced Ronan Keating as Guy. Keating will be joining the Olivier award-winning musical on 17 November 2014, with press night on Tuesday 25 November 2014.Once is currently booking at the Phoenix Theatre to 4 July 2015.
Based on the much-loved Oscar-winning film,Once bursts onto the stage with a musical celebration of love, friendship and Irish music performed by cast of actor/musicians. A chance encounter between a girl and guy from different worlds but with a shared love of music and songwriting sparks a deep connection and a tender, unexpected romance.
Jill Winternitz studied at UCLA and the Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia before training in the UK at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She made her West End debut starring as Baby in Dirty Dancing at the Piccadilly Theatre and then on tour around the UK. Her other theatre credits include A Handful of Soil at the Drayton Theatre,The Seagull at the Moscow Art Theatre School and Sunday in the Park with George at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Her film credits include The Sorrows and The Replacement Child.
Irish recording artist, singer-songwriter and musician Ronan Keating launched his career as a member of Boyzone in 1993 and has subsequently enjoyed a hugely successful career as a solo recording artist. With Boyzone Keating has sold over 25 million records worldwide and as a solo artist 20 million. Before joining the cast of Once, Keating has returned to Australia for a fourth year as a judge on The X-Factor.
The West End production of Once opened in April 2013 went on to win the 2014 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music. In addition, Zrinka Cvitesic won the Best Actress in a Musical Olivier for her performance as Girl.Once offers audiences a unique opportunity by serving theatregoers Irish drinks from the on-stage bar both before the performance and during the interval. The Broadway production continues at the Bernard B Jacob's Theatre. Later this year an Australian production will open at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne while the US tour continues. The original cast recording of Once is available via Masterworks Broadway, a label of Sony Masterworks - www.MasterworksBroadway.com
From the 17 November 2014 the Once London cast comprises Ronan Keating (Guy) and Jill Winternitz (Girl) together with Fiona Bruce (Baruška), Jamie Cameron (EmceeMark Carlisle (Da), Matthew Ganley (Švec),Mathew Hamper(Andrej), Daniel Healy (Eamon), Loren O'Dair (Reza), Miria Parvin (Ex-Girlfriend), Tim Prottey-Jones (Billy), and Jez Unwin (Bank Manager). Alternating the role of Girl's young daughter Ivanka will be Pacha BusbyRebecca Connolly,Tigan Hawes and Audrey NewmanDavid Hunter continues in the role of Guy until 15 November 2014.
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. Directed for the stage by John TiffanyOncehas scenic and costume designs by Bob Crowley, lighting by Natasha Katz, sound by Clive Goodwin, musical supervision and orchestrations by Martin Lowe and movement by Steven HoggettOnce won the 2013 Grammy award for Best Musical Theatre album. The Martin Guitar Company is the proud sponsor of Once.
The Producers of the West End production are Barbara BroccoliJohn N. Hart Jr.Patrick Milling Smith,Frederick ZolloBrian CarmodyMichael G. WilsonOrin Wolf and Michael Rose in association with New York 











RONAN  prendra le rôle du " GUY" dans  une pièce musicale" ONCE"
 au théâtre PHOENIX de LONDRES 
du 17 NOVEMBRE 2014 au 21 MARS 2015








10










ONCE  is about a Dublin busker who falls for a Czech pianist
"I m an Irish musician, too, so i think i can do that" he teases

RONAN KEATING makes WEST END DEBUT
Former Boyzone star Ronan Keating is making his West End debut
 playing a busker in hit musical Once.


The show, based on the film of the same name, is a love story between
 an Irish singer and Czech woman who meet on the streets of Dublin.

Ronan, who joins the cast on Nvember 17, said he was "truly bowled over" 
when he first saw the Show.

He said: "The music and storyline are so incredibly moving and combined with John Tiffany's direction,
I believe it's a modern-day masterpiece. It's unlike anything else I've ever seen.

"When I was asked about playing the lead male (who is a busker in Dublin) I was completely overwhelmed because
I knew it would be perfect - this was my home town, my people, and the place where I began my own music career.
"But as exciting as that is, it's scary too. I've never performed in the West End and this is a huge challenge and commitment.


 I'm really looking forward to returning to London later this year and completely 
sinking my teeth into the role.

 I think there's going to be lots to learn and lots to gain from this experience 
and I just want to be the absolute best that I can be."

The West End production, which opened in April 2013 and won two 
Olivier awards this year, is at the Phoenix Theatre in Charing Cross Road.







BAZ BAMIGBOYE: Ronan's attack of nerves as he makes his West End debut in musical Once

West End Debut: Ronan Keating is to star in musical Once
"ONCE MUSICAL"
Pop singer Ronan Keating is turning into a West End star.  The former Boyzone lead singer will make his stage acting debut in the musical Once.
Keating joked that he received a phone call from Barbara Broccoli, who produces the James Bond films and Once, ‘on her 007 number’.

He added: ‘I’ve been offered quite a few theatre roles in the past, but when the call came from her on her 007 phone, I had to take it seriously.’

Once is about a Dublin busker who falls for a Czech pianist. ‘I’m an Irish musician, too, so I think I can do that,’ he teased.

But as well as great songs, there’s also plenty of dialogue. 
Keating said he watched the show this week in New York
notebook in hand, and realised that he has a lot of lines to learn.

‘It’s scary. I never saw myself going into the West End. I’ve always gone to shows and used to see a lot of stuff with Stephen,’ he said, referring to his late friend and bandmate Stephen Gately.

‘This is like a play with music, and for me it’s daunting. I won’t hide from you that I’m scared.
‘The character’s a musician and I’ve spent 20 years trying to be Ronan Keating the musician, so I guess I can spend four months playing another character.’



Last year, well before any hint of him being in the show, he did a duet on Kimberley Walsh’s Centre Stage album of the song Falling Slowly, which is a highlight of Once.
It was originally written for the film version and won an Oscar for best song for Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova.
Keating has seen Once several times and on each occasion, he admitted, he and girlfriend Storm Uechtritz ended up crying
He laughed and said he’s a little concerned he’ll start blubbing on stage during the show.
Emotional: Keating says he has seen Once several times and on each occasion, he admitted, he and girlfriend Storm Uechtritz (pictured) ended up crying
Ronan will take over the role of the busker (currently played by David Hunter) at the Phoenix Theatre, London, from [b]November 17[/b] for a limited season
 through to March 21
He added that he needs to get his head around performing eight shows a week.
‘I’ve started thinking about my regimen — keeping the voice healthy and me keeping in shape. No late nights. I want to be the best I can be,’ he told me.
For now he’s contracted only for London, but if all goes well Ms Broccoli will be back on her 007 phone, signing him up for Broadway.
Ronan is said to be thrilled and described the role as “perfect”. According to BBC news Ronan said
“When I was asked about playing the lead male (who is a busker in Dublin) I was completely overwhelmed because I knew it would be perfect – this was my home town, my people,
and the place where I began my own music career.
“But as exciting as that is, it’s scary too. I’ve never performed on the West End and this is a huge challenge and commitment.I’m really looking forward to returning to London later this
 year and completely sinking my teeth into the role. I think there’s going to be lots to learn and lots to gain from this experience and I just want to be the absolute best that I can be.
“The music and storyline are so incredibly moving and combined with John Tiffany’s direction, I believe it’s a modern-day masterpiece. It’s unlike anything else I’ve ever seen”