Understanding the Understudy

Lets de-mystify the understudy, so that we can perhaps love them and not burst ib tars when those inserts fall out of your program, "at this performance (your favourite star) will be played by (who the H-E-double hockey sticks is that).

The understudy onstage lends great energy of the understudy wanting to nail every aspect of the part, plus the energy of other cast members who are invigorated by having a new face. understudies can go on to become big stars, you might be lucky enough to have witnessed this?

Quite often the understudies or "First Covers" can be better than the "stars" playing the lead roles, especially when producers have consciously gone for a "name" rather than a talent. There is an incredible amount of talent out there in the musical theatre world, desperately trying to get work - and often it's just a matter of being in the "right place at the right time" that gets someone a role, while other great talent continues to fight for that "break".

There are a couple of fantastic First Covers that spring to mind - Jon Williams (First Cover Valjean in Les Mis), who has a seriously awesome voice; and Debbie Kurup (First Cover Deloris in Sister Act) - anyone who got to see her when she played Velma in Chicago, Mimi in Rent or Diana in I Love You, Because at the Landor will know how incredible she is. And there are many more like them out there who will likely blow audiences away when they get their chance to go on.

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"I'm on holiday with the understudy for Bernadette in 'Priscilla'!
It isnt a quiet holiday! "

LMAO lolol

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I've found it very rare to get a bad understudy. The latest show I saw had an understudy on for one of the lead roles the night I saw it. He was amazing. If you go to see a particular star in a show then it will be a disappointment to miss them. But you will more than likely still get a great performance.

I get very excited about understudies. The reason I love going to the theatre over the cinema is because the theatre is different every time, and understudies are just a whole exciting expansion of that. I sometimes go through old programmes to see who understudied who in favourite productions, and then feel sad that I actually got the full cast. XD

My favourite understudy slips are the RSC Hamlet, where everyone was understudying everyone else, and the Old Vic Winter's Tale, where "due to the indisposition of Gary Powell ... The Bear will be played by Michael Braun". :3

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I once saw Wicked with the Elphaba, Nessa, Boq, Wizard, (and therfore doctor dillamond) AND morrible understudies (infact Galinda and Fiyero were the only leads actually played by the actors billed), and besides the weak ensemble, it was the BEST performance of the show I have seen!

Updated On: 7/4/09 at 12:05 PM

I went to see Wicked for a second time purely to see Kerry Ellis (having seen Idina soon into the run) and she was off...as was Adam Garcia who I wanted to see again. I was SOOOO annoyed as we had paid full whack. Anyways sat down and Shona White was on for Elphaba and she blew me away (since saw Kerry who left me thinking what the hell the fuss with her is about), cant rave about Shona White enough. But on the flip side I thought Oliver Thompsett was awful (and I still think this having seen Wicked a couple more times since).

Also saw Ben James Ellis's understudy (Michael someone I think) and although he sang nicely he had no stage presence at all and did have the charisma, looks and charm Ben has and thus the role of Link just faded into the background.

The last one I can think of off the top of my head is Cameron Leigh who is one of the best Roxies ive seen, shame she never had the chance to do the role in her own right.

I think if the understudy matchs (or exceeds) the 'star' that isnt on then I can soon forget about it and sometimes come out being a fan of someone until then id never heard of. But when you get a weak understudy who either doesnt match in talent and/or stage presence you do feel a bit robbed.

I also saw Oliver before Adam left in Wicked and also thought he was AWFUL, but then somehow, he improved MASSIVELY in about two weeks!