Arthur Darvill joining the West End cast of Once?

Rumours are swirling that Arthur Darvill is set to join the cast of hit musical Once, taking over the role of 'Guy' when Declan Bennett leaves in March.

Whovians will be excited to hear that Darvill, who played Rory Williams in the television series Doctor Who, will be returning to the West End after playing Parry in the WhatsOnStage Award nominated Our Boys in 2012.

Since then the Midlands born actor has been seen as Reverend Paul Coates in the ITV crime drama Broadchurch and more recently as 'Guy' in the Broadway production of Once.

Once, which is also nominated for a handful of WhatsOnStage Awards, has a 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 won the Oscar for Best Original Song for "Falling Slowly".

The production has recently extended at the Phoenix Theatre, where it opened in April last year, until 4 July 2015.

Source: WhatsOnStage

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"Doctor Who" Star Arthur Darvill and Joanna Christie Will Make Music in Broadway's Once

"Doctor Who" star Arthur Darvill and Joanna Christie will take on the soulful leading roles in the Broadway production of the Tony Award-winning musical Once beginning April 23 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.

Inspired by the indie film of the same name, the musical about a Dublin street singer and the woman who comes to inspire him opened on Broadway to acclaim March 18, 2012. It has a book by playwright Enda Walsh and utilizes songs from the film by songwriters Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová.

Darvill is best known for portraying Rory Williams on the BBC series "Doctor Who." He has also appeared on stage in Our Boys, Dr. Faustus, Swimming with Sharks, Marine Parade, Stacy and Terre Haute. He will take on the role of Guy.

Christie, who steps into the role of Girl, co-starred with Daniel Radcliffe in the West End revival of Equus. She has appeared in "Mr. Selfridge" as well as The Ramshackle Heart and One Night In November.

The roles were originated on Broadway by Steve Kazee and Cristin Milioti, respectively. Ben Hope and Laura Dreyfuss most recently played the roles in the Broadway production. Once is directed by John Tiffany (Black Watch), with movement by Steven Hoggett (Black Watch, American Idiot) and music supervision and orchestrations by Martin Lowe (Mamma Mia!). It won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical.

The cast also features David Abeles, David Patrick Kelly, Jillian Lebling, Eliza Holland Madore, Anne L. Nathan, Lucas Papaelias, Andy Taylor, Carlos Valdes, Erikka Walsh, Claire Wellin, Paul Whitty and J. Michael Zygo.

The production has set and costume design by Tony Award winner Bob Crowley (The Coast of Utopia, Mary Poppins). Lighting design is by Tony winner Natasha Katz (Aida, The Coast of Utopia), and sound design is by Clive Goodwin.

Visit oncemusical.com for more information.

Source: Playbill.com

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