Ronan Keating is to take on the lead role of Guy in the award winning West End musical, Once.
It has been announced that Boyzone star Ronan Keating is joining the cast of the musical Once, which is based on the Oscar-winning film of the same name, and follows a romance between an Irish busker and a Czech mother who share a love of music and songwriting.
The script for the musical was written by award-winning Irish playwright and screenwriter Enda Walsh
The music and lyrics are by Academy Award winning Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová who, for Falling Slowly, won the Oscar for Best Original Song.
Speaking about his casting Keating said: "I was truly bowled over when I first saw Once. The music and storyline are so incredibly moving and combined with John Tiffany's direction, I believe it's a modern-day masterpiece. It's unlike anything else I've ever seen.
"When I was asked about playing the lead male (who is a busker in Dublin) I was completely overwhelmed because I knew it would be perfect - this was my home town, my people, and the place where I began my own music career. But as exciting as that is, it's scary too. I've never performed on the West End and this is a huge challenge and commitment.
"I'm really looking forward to returning to London later this year and completely sinking my teeth into the role. I think there's going to be lots to learn and lots to gain from this experience and I just want to be the absolute best that I can be."
Keating will perform the role of Guy at Phoenix Theatre from November 17, 2014 to March 21, 2015.
