Once The Musical at Darlinghurst Theatre Company Extended

Once The Musical at Darlinghurst Theatre Company Extended
Image: Photo: Robert Catto

Once The Musical at Darlinghurst Theatre Company has had to endure some very unexpected hurdles on its way to 100 shows. Despite these challenges the show has proven how special it is to audiences by managing to continue drawing in audiences after three seperate seasons at the Eternity Playhouse Theatre. In fact Once The Musical has shown itself to be such a compelling piece of theatre that Darlinghurst Theatre Company has just extended this latest season until August 14.

Speaking to City Hub ahead the show’s milestone 100th performance Director Richard Carroll explained how privileged the cast & crew feel to be welcomed back for a third time.

“In the commercial theatre world, it is not uncommon at all for something like Hamilton or Moulin Rouge to reach 100 shows. However, for a theatre piece produced by a company like Darlinghurst Theatre Company this is incredibly unusual & is a testament to the hard-work of all the people involved in this show.”

Toby Francis & Stefani Caccamo
Toby Francis & Stefani Caccamo. Photo: Robert Catto.

The path to 100 shows didn’t come easy for Once The Musical. After first taking to the stage of the Eternity Playhouse Theatre in 2019 the show would then be welcomed back in 2021, only to be abruptly halted when lockdowns were enacted. Due to this Richard says the cast felt a sense of there being “unfinished business” to attend to when the 2022 season was announced.

“The fact that last year we had a huge tour cut short was devastating,” said Richard. “Not only did we lose work but we also lost the thing that gave meaning to our lives. So, when it came time to return to this show it was really special for all of us because it definitely felt like there was unfinished business.”

Returning to a show for a third time on the same stage with the same cast was also intimidating according to Richard.

“It’s always a privilege & a joy to be able to revisit a show that you love & enjoy… It’s easier in that we are refining something that we have created before but it’s difficult in that we have a lot of the same actors, so to keep it fresh is a challenge. We reach 100 shows on Saturday, so to keep that fresh every time is a new challenge for the cast. Luckily Toby Francis & Stefanie Caccamo have locked into the story & work together so beautifully.”

Looking ahead to the remainder of the now extended season Richard hopes this will allow even more people to experience what he describes as a “virtuoso love letter to the art of storytelling through music.”

“It’s staggering to me that a show that is on it’s third time around is still connecting with audiences,” enthused Richard. “Once is definitely a word of mouth show. We find that people come & see the show then rave about it to their friends & want to come back to see it again for a second or third time with friends. That is the best review we could possibly get.”

Until Aug 14. Darlinghurst Theatre Company, 39 Burton St, Darlinghurst. $67-$119+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.darlinghursttheatre.com

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