★★★★☆
If you were given a choice between waiting hopefully for something that could be, and giving everything to what’s already in front of you – which way would you go?
This is the proverbial dilemma that sits at the core of Once, an honest, heartfelt musical, now showing at Melbourne’s iconic Chapel Off Chapel. It arrives with the kind of quiet emotional force that sneaks up and warmly invites us in.
Picture this: A Dublin busker with a broken heart, on the brink of giving up, meets a buoyant, free-spirited Czech pianist who is blown away by his talent and refuses to let him quit. Over a handful of days, they write music, heal old wounds, let their worlds collide, and discover a gentle, bittersweet connection that profoundly changes them both.
AG Theatre, led by renowned Melbourne showrunner Andrew Gyopar, brings to life this multi‑award‑winning musical featuring music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová that has won an Academy Award, Grammy Award, Olivier Award and Tony Award.
Under the accomplished direction of Pip Mushin, this raw, ravenously relatable production shines within an intimate space that perfectly frames the narrative, with stripped‑back staging, actor‑musicianship front and centre, and a soft spotlight on emotional truth.
As Guy, Mark Taylor delivers a focused, vulnerable performance. His voice carries the ache of someone who has loved deeply and lost painfully, yet Taylor never lets the character collapse completely into despair.
Instead, Taylor’s version of Guy shows up with a subdued resilience, embodying an artist rediscovering his purpose one note at a time. With every earnest strum of his guitar, Taylor’s contemplative rendition of the show’s songs feels lived‑in, textured, and beautifully human.
Sian Fuller, of The Voice Australia fame, is utterly captivating as Girl. She embodies the candidly honest, hopeful young woman with grounded conviction and flawless comedic timing.
Her clear, crystalline voice soars with remarkable resonance when given the opportunity, yet overall feels a little underutilised within the narrow confines of the role. As a rising star, it is obvious that Fuller’s commanding stage presence and impressive vocal talents are meant for much bigger stages.
The impressive, effervescent ensemble cast injects the production with joyful, rambunctious energy right from the get-go. Seamlessly slipping between character work and orchestral duties with remarkable ease, their dual‑hatted roles turn the stage into an organic soundscape. Instruments are passed hand to hand. Strings meld symphonically. Harmonies rise from unexpected corners.
As Billy, Frazer Shepherdson finds the heart beneath the bluster, making him both the show’s comic relief and one of its emotional anchors. Rose Chambers sparkles as sultry Reza, turning up the heat with a playful confidence that makes her an absolute scene-stealer.
Rounding out the cast, James Frampton gives ambitious Andrej a truly endearing quality that is easy to love, whilst John Yanko’s brash, quirky Svec is an absolute delight. Frampton and Yanko play to each other’s strengths with ease. They convey their characters’ admirable determination to carve out a better life for themselves in a foreign land that’s brimming with promise.
This deep desire becomes tangible when, near to the story’s sombre conclusion, Andrej expectantly says, “A million times heartbroken and Dublin keeps on going. You’ve got to love Dublin for dreaming.”
Chapel Off Chapel glows as the evening’s radiant backdrop, steeped in rich history. One of Melbourne’s most beloved independent arts venues, its walls have held witness to decades of emerging voices, bold experiments, and community‑driven storytelling. It’s the perfect home for a confident musical built on heart, hope, and the transformative power of music.
Another glowing triumph for AG Productions, a prominent pillar of Melbourne’s vibrant theatre scene, the show’s message is simple. Sometimes the right person enters your life at the right time. Not to stay, but only to remind you of who you are, and what you can be.
Immerse yourself in the quiet wonder of Once, and walk away feeling just a little lighter, having been reminded of the halcyon magic people can spark in each other through the healing power of music.
Once the Musical is presented by AG Theatre and runs to 6 June at Chapel Off Chapel. 12 Little Chapel Street Prahran Vic 3181.
Tickets: https://booktickets.com.au/once/
Website: https://agtheatre.com.au/once/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/agtheatreproductions/
Photo credits: Natalie Edge Photography
