19 November 2020
Newsdesk
Joining the stellar cast of The Understudy, which will once again raise funds for the UK’s theatre industry, is Matthew Horne, Emily Atack, Adelayo Adedayo, Lucy Briggs-Owen, and Jake Ferretti. A perfect pre-Christmas treat for theatre lovers, this exclusive semi-staged rehearsed reading of The Understudy will run for two nights only at London’s Palace Theatre.
The play forms part of the initiative first launched by the Lawrence Batley Theatre in May, with proceeds once again being split between Acting For Others, the Equity Charitable Trust and The Theatre Development Trust, run by the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre.
Directed by Giles Croft, The Understudy is written by Henry Filloux-Bennett and will be accompanied by Dusthouse’s wonderful animation from the play’s online version. Having previously recorded their lines in isolation, this will be the first time the actors will be performing together in the flesh as they swap their makeshift recording studios at home for the real life stage.
Based on the novel by the best-selling author David Nicholls, The Understudy tells the story of an underdog – a failed husband, a failing father, a failing actor, and the impossible choice he’s going to have to make between stealing the show and stealing another man’s wife.
Actor Stephen McQueen has just landed a dream West End role. Well, that’s not quite true – he’s going to be is understudying film star (and 12th Sexiest Man in the World) Josh Harper in the brand-new show ‘Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know’, but still…Whilst he’s waiting for his time to shine, he reflects on his career – one that has spanned everything from (non-speaking) Rent Boy 3 in ‘The Bill’ to his recent starring role as Sammy in the (low-budget) regional tour of ‘Sammy The Squirrel’s Seriously Silly Safari’.
With this new job Stephen’s stage career may be destined for the dizzying heights, but not everything is going quite as well. Stephen’s wife left him two years ago, wondering if he’d ever grow up; his daughter wonders when he’ll get an actual job; worst of all, he’s starting to fall for the leading man’s wife.
The Understudy was originally commissioned by The Lowry, Salford.
Dates Monday 7th December and Tuesday 8th December, 7.30pm
Venue Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 5AY
Running Time 2 hours plus interval
Tickets £20 -£45
Box Office 0330 333 4813
Website www.understudyplay.com
Social Media @UnderstudyPlay, @theLBT
Writer Henry Filloux-Bennett
Director Giles Croft
Sound and Music by Alexandra Faye Braithwaite. Annie May Fletcher and Sophie Galpin
Animation by Dean Kendrick and Mark Kendrick for Dusthouse
Produced by Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield in association with Guy Chapman
