Regent's Park announce initial casting for Once On This Island revival

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre have announced initial casting for their revival of Once On This Island which will open their 2023 season.

Olivier-nominee Gabrielle Brooks (Get Up Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical) will lead the musical in the role of Ti Moune with Stephenson Ardern-Sodje (Hamilton) playing Daniel.

Further casting is to be announced.

Once On This Island has music by Stephen Flaherty and a book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and will run from 10th May to 10th June 2023 in a new production directed by Ola Ince.

Ola said: “Once on this island is a poignant, moving and politically charged story. I'm thrilled to be working with an extraordinary talented team at Regent Park’s Open Air Theatre; a place where true magic happens. It's a dream come true!”

The musical is based on Rosa Guy's 1985 novel My Love, My Love which itself is a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid, setting the story in the Caribbean.

What's on at Regent's Park in 2023:

Artistic Director Timothy Sheader said: “Our 2022 season was big and bold; we were thrilled with how all three shows brought very different audiences to the Park. The 2023 season increases our commitment to commissioning and producing new work alongside our reimagined revivals and we are delighted to welcome Carl Grose and Chinonyerem Odimba to our stages. After the completion of a major capital project this winter the auditorium will be increased by a further 53 seats, all of which will be sold in the lower price bands.

“I am particularly excited that we can offer productions for children and families throughout the entirety of the season, engaging younger audiences with the magic of live performance. We look forward to you joining us next summer.”

Once on This Island first opened on Broadway in 1990 with the musical first arriving in the West End in 1994 where it picked up the Olivier Award for Best New Musical.

Read more:

MJ the Musical is coming to the West End in 2024

Disney release first poster for live-action remake of The Little Mermaid

How to listen to Magic at the Musicals:

Magic at the Musicals plays the best of musicals from stage and screen and is brought to you by Magic Radio. You can listen to us online, on our free Rayo app, smart speakers and DAB.