Jill Winternitz extends run in Once; first images of Ronan Keating as Guy released

Jill Winternitz has extended her run as Girl in Once, meaning she will star opposite Boyzone's Ronan Keating who joins the cast as Guy on 17th November 2014. 

Keating's press night will take place on Tuesday 25th November 2014. Once is currently booking at the Phoenix Theatre to 4th July 2015. David Hunter plays his final performance as Guy on 15th November 2014. Check out the first official images of Keating as Guy below (click image to enlarge).

Interview: Jill Winternitz, starring as Girl in Once

Jill Winternitz recently took over as ‘Girl’ in the West End production of Once. 

Following its Olivier Awards success, John Tiffany’s production is currently booking at the Phoenix Theatre until 4th July 2015. Based on the much-loved Oscar-winning film, Once is described as a “celebration of love, friendship and music.”

Last year Jill was nominated for a West End Frame Award for her West End debut as Baby in Dirty Dancing at the Piccadilly Theatre, having previously played the role in the musical's UK Tour. 

Her other theatre credits include: A Handful of Soil (Drayton Theatre), The Seagull (Moscow Art Theatre) and Sunday in the Park with George (Interlochen Center for the Arts). Her film credits include The Sorrows and The Replacement Child.

Jill chats to West End Frame about putting her own stamp on her character, the secret to Once’s success, how she likes to unwind after the show and what it’s like to finally be singing in a West End musical…

How have you found your first few months in Once? Has the time flown by?

Absolutely, but then time always seems to vanish when you're doing what you love. Once has been the most inspiring, challenging and rewarding job of my career thus far. I'm having an incredible time.

Photo Feature: David Hunter & Jill Winternitz join Once

Images have been released of the new cast of Once. David Hunter and Jill Winternitz joined the production as Guy and Girl last week. Directed by John Tiffany, the West End production of Once opened in April 2013 and is currently booking at the Phoenix Theatre until 4th July 2015.  Take a look at the images below (click on picture to enlarge).

Hunter originally joined Once in July last year as Guy understudy. In 2012 he appeared on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s television programme Superstar (ITV). His theatre credits include: One Man Two Guvnors (National/UK Tour/Adelphi), Seussical (Arts), The Who’s Tommy (Prince Edward) and The Hired Man (Curve). He has recently filmed Nativity! 3 which is due to be released later this year. 

David Hunter & Jill Winternitz take over as Guy & Girl in Once

David Hunter and Jill Winternitz will lead the cast as Guy and Girl respectively in the Olivier award-winning production of Once.

Hunter, who originally joined the show in July last year understudying the role of Guy, and Winternitz have their first performance together on Monday 12th May 2014. Last month Once was the winner of two coveted Olivier awards - including the first ever recipient of the Olivier for Outstanding Achievement in Music. 

The show has also won 8 Tony awards including Best Musical and the Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album. In addition Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová’sFalling Slowly won the Oscar for Best Original Song.

VOTE: Best West End Debut 2013

The voting period has now ended, click here to view the result!

Every year many actors join their first West End show so our latest award is a celebration of some of the most spectacular West End debuts which have been made over the past year. Nine incredible actors have been nominated, some of whom are established performers and some who have only recently graduated from drama school.

Voting for Best West End Debut opened at opened at 2pm on Friday 16th August and must close at 3pm on Thursday 29th August 2013. The result will be announced on Friday 30th August and you can preview the result (after voting) until Sunday 25th August.

Best West End Debut is part of the 2013 West End Frame Awards. Unlike other theatre awards West End Frame only opens voting for one category at a time. Best West End Debut follows Understudy Of The Year, Best Performance of a Song in a Musical and Best Jukebox Musical. Last year's Best West End Debut Award was won by Shayne Ward who made his West End debut as Stacee Jaxx in Rock Of Ages at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Kimberley Walsh (Princess Fiona, Shrek) came second and Adam Pettigrew (Boq, Wicked) came third.