Successful musical Once saa suomenkielisen ensi-launsa / Premiere for Finnish Once
The multi-award-winning Broadway musical Once based on the popular film (2007) will have its Finnish premiere at Lilla Teatern on March 4, 2022. The hugely popular musical, which premiered in Swedish in October 2020, continues on the same stage with the same multi-talented team, but in a different language.
Once, set in Dublin, tells the story of the encounter between an Irish street musician and a Czech immigrant, which leads to a beautiful story of love and music. Enda Walsh’s hit musical is a harrowing story told with warmth and humour about life’s crossroads. The breathtakingly beautiful music of Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglova, with the Oscar-winning theme song “Falling Slowly” at the forefront, has delighted audiences around the world.
“It’s really inspiring to be able to do Once in Finnish at Lilla Teatern, where there is a long tradition of performing plays in both Swedish and Finnish,” says Jakob Höglund, who started as Lilla Teatern’s artistic director in November 2019 and is responsible for directing and choreographing the musical.
“We have a talented ensemble and everyone who was involved in the Swedish version will also continue in the Finnish version of Once. All twelve performers work as both musicians and actors, and despite the pandemic, we have had a very successful performance season behind us. I believe that the Finnish-language Once will also be an unprecedented musical celebration,” says Höglund.
The main roles are played by Emma Klingenberg and Tuukka Leppänen. The other roles are played by Ulriikka Heikinheimo, Santeri Helinheimo Mäntylä, Aili Järvelä, Aleksi Kaufmann, Robert Kock, Hilda Koskinen, Pia Runnakko, Kalle Ruusukallio, Tekla Tolonen, Riku Vartiainen, Alexander Wendelin and Joachim Wigelius. The dialogue has been translated by Reita Lounatvuori and Hanna Kaila has translated the lyrics of the songs. The set and costumes were designed by Sven Haraldsson, who has worked with Jakob Höglund in many productions.
Once (2007), directed by John Carney, was praised by critics and audiences alike. The success story continued when the musical version of Once first conquered Broadway and then the West End. Once is the only production to have won both Oscars, Tony, Olivier and Grammy awards.
Once Finnish premiere 4.3.2022 at Lilla Teatern (Yrjönkatu 30).
#oncesuomeksi #musikaalionce #hktfi #lillateatern
Helsinki City Theatre’s customer service and ticket sales are open by phone 09 394022 Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Lippupiste Mon-Sat 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., tel. 0600 900 900 (2 €/min + local network charge). Our common security is important to us. Please read our safety instructions carefully in our Safe Theatre section.
Press photos can be found in the image bank and press releases in the newsroom.
Further information, media ticket reservations and interview requests:
Marketer Ida Virkkunen, Ida.virkkunen@lillateatern.fi, 050 357 4250
Lilla Teatern, Yrjönkatu 30, 00100 Helsinki
*********************************
The Broadway musical Once will have its Finnish-language premiere at Lilla Teatern on March 4, 2022. The musical, which is based on the film (2007) of the same name, premiered in Swedish at Lilla Teatern in October 2020 and now continues on the same stage with the same ensemble but in a new language.
An unexpected encounter between an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant on a Dublin street is the prelude to an intense story of love and music. The hit musical Once by Enda Walsh is a story about life’s crossroads, told with humor and warmth. Glen Hansard’s and Markéta Irglova’s beautiful music, with the Oscar-winning theme “Falling Slowly” in the lead, continues to captivate audiences around the world.
“It’s very inspiring to do Once in Finnish at Lilla Teatern, which has a long tradition of playing in both Swedish and Finnish,” says Jakob Höglund, who took over as Lilla Teatern’s artistic director in November 2019 and directs and choreographs the musical.
“We have a fantastic ensemble and everyone who was in the Swedish Once will continue in the Finnish version. All twelve participants work as both musicians and actors, and despite the pandemic, we have a very successful season behind us. Finnish Once will also be a musical party like no other,” says Höglund.
The main roles are played by Emma Klingenberg and Tuukka Leppänen. The other roles are played by Ulriikka Heikinheimo, Santeri Helinheimo Mäntylä, Aili Järvelä, Aleksi Kaufmann, Robert Kock, Hilda Koskinen, Pia Runnakko, Kalle Ruusukallio, Tekla Tolonen, Riku Vartiainen, Alexander Wendelin and Joachim Wigelius. The dialogue has been translated by Reita Lounatvuori and Hanna Kaila lthe lyrics.
The set design and costume design are by Sven Haraldsson, who has collaborated with Jakob Höglund on several projects.
The film Once by John Carney was praised by both audiences and critics when it was released in 2007. The success story continued as the musical took Broadway and the West End by storm. Once is currently the only production of its kind to have won both Oscar, Tony, Olivier and Grammy awards.
Once Finnish premiere 4.3.2022 at Lilla Teatern (Yrjönkatu 30).
#oncesuomeksi #musikaalionce #hktfi #lillateatern
Helsinginfors City Theatre’s customer service and ticket office are open by phone from 9 a.m. 394022 Mon-Fri at noon. 9-17.30. Lippupiste Mon-Sat 9-21, Sun 10-18, tel. 0600 900 900 (2 €/min+S.A). Read more about our safety measures on our website under News
Press images are available in the image bank and press releases in the press room.
Further information, press tickets and interview requests:
Marketer Ida Virkkunen, ida.virkkunen@lillateatern.fi, 050 357 4250
Lilla Teatern, Yrjönkatu 30, 00100 Helsinki