Pitlochry Festival Theatre has announced that Dylan Wood and Lydia White will star as Guy and Girl in its new production of Once, which opens the theatre’s 75th anniversary season and marks Alan Cumming’s first as Artistic Director.
The Scottish première of the Tony and Olivier award winning musical will run from 23 May to 27 June, directed by John Tiffany and reuniting the original Broadway and West End creative team.
Set in Dublin, the story follows Guy, a disillusioned street musician, and Girl, a spirited Czech immigrant who encourages him to pursue his music. As they work together on an album, the pair are supported by an eclectic circle of friends and fellow musicians.
Written by Enda Walsh with music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, the musical is based on John Carney’s 2007 film which introduced the Oscar winning song “Falling Slowly”. Once premiered on Broadway in 2012, winning eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, and later ran in the West End where it won two Olivier Awards.
Dylan Wood’s recent credits include playing Orpheus in the West End production of Hadestown. He has also appeared in No Love Songs, Sherlock Holmes and the Poison Wood, Moorcroft and Orphans.
Lydia White’s theatre credits include The Girl from the North Country and A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic, alongside Matilda the Musical, Whistle Down the Wind and Rags.
Joining Tiffany on the creative team are designer Bob Crowley, choreographer Steven Hoggett, lighting designer Natasha Katz, music and orchestration director Martin Lowe, sound designer Clive Goodwin and casting director Stuart Burt CDG CSA.
Director John Tiffany said: “I am thrilled that the Scottish Première of Once will also open Alan Cumming’s inaugural season at Pitlochry Festival Theatre; both Once and Alan are very close to my heart. We first created Once in Cambridge, Massachusetts followed by productions on Broadway, in the West End and around the world. Bringing it to Scotland, the place which has inspired so much of my work, feels like bringing it home.”
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
