219 posts
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Post by PalelyLaura on Mar 8, 2016 16:08:22 GMT
Like adrianics, I don't tend to see a show more than once so can't really compare understudies vs. principals, but I remember being incredibly impressed with Ashley Day at the Book of Mormon, as well as Richard Carson in Miss Saigon more recently.
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6 posts
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Post by frankanalysis on Mar 8, 2016 17:58:24 GMT
I much preferred Richard Southgate as Moritz over Iwan Rheon in Spring Awakening in London. I didn't dislike Iwan but I saw Richard first and have this strange attachment the original people I see play roles.
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733 posts
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Post by theatremiss on Mar 8, 2016 22:26:01 GMT
Oh how could I forget Rachel John, her chemistry with Killian was superb
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Post by talkstageytome on Mar 9, 2016 1:16:26 GMT
I also preferred Sooha Kim and Richard Carson to Eva and Chris Peluso in Miss Saigon. Sooha especially was phenomenal, I was in love with her by the end which made the ending all the more tragic. I liked Eva but Sooha's acting felt more genuine, although I found Eva's voice to be just a bit more powerful.
Those two leads literally changed the whole show for me though. I first saw Miss Saigon just under a year ago, and although I liked it, I wasn't blown away at all. I decided to revist in the last few weeks, just to give it another go, and my gosh I sobbed from beginning to end! I loved it.
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5,095 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Mar 9, 2016 1:31:13 GMT
Sometimes the reaction with leads can get very stale, especially if one of them thinks you get 10 times what I earn, which can be differ cult, with a understudy their performance can be fresh, so you get a whole natural partnership that can be refreshing and filling. I have seen numerous understudies with varying results.
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115 posts
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Post by Peach on Mar 9, 2016 9:33:54 GMT
I saw David O'Reilly and Oliver Ormson as Elder Cunningham and Elder Price and thought they were pretty perfect, but can't compare them to anyone as I can't afford a repeat visit to Mormon!
Abram Rooney was also a great alternate Christopher in Curious but I wish I'd got to see Graham Butler in the part as I really like him.
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9 posts
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Post by Daca on Mar 9, 2016 9:55:54 GMT
A few years ago we got two amazing understudies at Les Mis in one fell swoop. Jeff Nicholson as Javert and Dave Thaxton as Enjolras
Was great to see Dave become principal Enjolras and eventually Javert. Always thought it a huge loss that Jeff was never principal Javert.
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2,041 posts
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Post by 49thand8th on Mar 9, 2016 15:40:52 GMT
I saw Madalena Alberto and Paul Basleigh both on as Luisa and Zorro back in 2009. I didn't know what I was missing, since I saw the show on a whim -- but when I got the cast recording, I realized I wasn't missing much!
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840 posts
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Post by Steffi on Mar 9, 2016 16:00:21 GMT
I saw Madalena Alberto and Paul Basleigh both on as Luisa and Zorro back in 2009. I didn't know what I was missing, since I saw the show on a whim -- but when I got the cast recording, I realized I wasn't missing much! Whilst I agree Matt Rawle doesn't sound great on the cast recording (I find his voice very "marmite" in general) I have to say I much prefered him to Paul in the show. He had an incredible stage presence and I couldn't take my eyes off him. Never saw Madalena as Luisa so can't compare but Emma Williams was wonderful in my opinion. :-) Ben Wheeler as Tommy in Jersey Boys is another one of my favourite understudies. Jon Boydon is good in the role (and a stronger singer without a doubt) but Ben brings so many little nuances to the character. And even though he has been in the show since it opened in the West End I've never seen him just go through the motion. |
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Post by ShoesForRent on Mar 9, 2016 18:29:14 GMT
I haven't seen Emma Hatton, but Laura Emmitt was WONDERFUL in Dec when i saw Wicked last.
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243 posts
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Post by musicallady on Mar 9, 2016 22:43:10 GMT
Very first time I saw Phantom Sarah Brightman and Claire Moore were both off so we had Maria Kesselman as Christine. She was amazing. Seen lots of Christine's but none can compare to her.
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527 posts
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Post by Hamilton Addict on Mar 11, 2016 17:54:45 GMT
Derek Hagen is phenomenal as Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! Words can't describe how good he was! Better than both Douglas Hodge and Alex Jennings.
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642 posts
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Post by Stasia on Mar 15, 2016 10:40:11 GMT
My personal stars are Rachel John and Jon Robyns in Memphis. They made so so much more nuanced and deep characters than Beberly and Killian! I saw them separately a few times but when I finally got them paired, my heart went BOOM(c) and it was one of the best days in London theatres for me. I personally preferred Tim Newman and Keisha Atwell to Killian and Beverly as well. The other outstanding cover for me is Jack Beale who was so good comparing to Ronan Keating in Once (he could sing the right notes! he was not so terribly overacting) I made it a double show just to remember how a proper Once story should look like. THan - Claire Parrish instead of Tamsin Carroll. Tamsin's acting, looks and voice ruined half of the musical for me, so when I finally managed to catch a show with her being off, it was the best one I saw! THe most recent one is Paul Ayres as Charlie Price in Kinky Boots. Finally I got Charlie's story told the way I liked to see it! And he has great chemistry with both Lolas (I was at that show where they had to swich the actors during the interval). Callum Francis for me was also an outstandinding understudy, even thoug I haven't seem him in the first act. But I could say, Matt Henry is also esceptional, so this is the line where I liked them both. But I am now wishing Killian had his vacations at the very same time as me to see Paul more!  |
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Post by fiyero on Mar 20, 2016 11:34:37 GMT
Picking up on a couple already posted:
Alice Fearn as Princess Fiona in Shrek - I totally agree, I was a bit biased having booked specifically not to see Amanda Holden but was so glad I did (backed up by seeing Amanda later in the run).
Natalie Andreou as Elphaba in Wicked - Another one I booked specifically to see after seeing her in Rock of Ages. I haven't seen Emma perform (except on the ITV Olivier stage) so can't really compare but Natalie deserves the role full time!
Also I much preferred the understudy Hope in Urinetown (I think it was Madeleine Harland). It probably helps that I saw her first but it really felt like she got the loopy side better for me and gave her all.
Another happy moment was seeing a female ensemble member (Katy Hanna) as Gavroche in Les Miserables. It was something I'd only ever heard of and was quite a surprise as I didn't see any signs and the people near me were talking loudly over the announcement (and when I got my programme I specifically asked if anyone was out and was told no so I guess it was a last minute swap!).
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83 posts
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Post by brenth on Mar 20, 2016 14:06:27 GMT
Hundreds of years ago I saw Elaine Paige's understudy in Piaf. I think she was called Lorraine Brunning/Branning and she was amazing! Still remember her to this day.
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218 posts
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Post by Rozzi Rainbow on Mar 20, 2016 16:43:35 GMT
I often find I prefer understudies. Some recent preferences:
Ross Hunter in We Will Rock You
Matt Brinkler as Joseph (tour last year)
Pinky's u/s in Bend it like Beckham (sorry, don't know her name)
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107 posts
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Post by littleflyer on Mar 25, 2016 18:44:22 GMT
Lucy Jane Adcock as Cassie
Lauren Varnham as Scara
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Post by tommygnosis on Mar 25, 2016 18:50:53 GMT
Callum Francis as Lola
Michael Vinsen as 2nd Cover Charlie
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Post by basdfg on Apr 23, 2016 19:20:32 GMT
Aofie Mullholand was very good as Maria. Tanya Mattalang was superb as Kim.
On the topic of understudies when I went to see the sound of Music the Baroness was off( as was Margret Peace in the Sound of Music) and her understudy was on. 4 years later the understudy then was the main Aunt Em in the wizard of Oz but was then off( and replaced by the second understudy) when I went to that.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2016 22:08:08 GMT
I haven't really had the main star/cast off ill (touch wood) except for Eva and Chris in Miss Saigon. Tanya Manalang was so amazing though, you wouldn't of realised she was the alternate!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2016 5:21:32 GMT
Rachel John as Felicia in Memphis. Beverly Knight may have been the (slightly) better singer, but Rachel's portrayal was so much better. Overall preferred her. Agreed! Though actually I thought Rachel had the edge vocally as well (though Beverley was very good too). Also agree with Lauren Varnham in WWRY, and would add my preference for Sarah Earnshaw to Dianne Pilkington in Wicked. And I haven't seen Glenn Close, but I'd be surprised if I preferred her to Ria Jones - she's absolutely bringing the house down while Ms Close recovers from the flu! |
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107 posts
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Post by littleflyer on Apr 25, 2016 12:49:49 GMT
I think I just pity people who won't give understudies a chance, as very often it is them that ends up missing out on an incredible performance. One day those understudies maybe playing the lead and be the very same person you are complaining about missing out on!
Emma Hatton is a prime example, she was U/S Scara for her first year in WWRY, she then gained U/S Meat as well for her second year, moved across to Wicked as stand-by Elphaba and is now the principle in this role.
Never underestimate the powers of an understudy!
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Post by 49thand8th on Apr 28, 2016 18:51:48 GMT
I understand the well-meaning sentiment, but the "you never know who's going to become a star" reasoning doesn't always work -- not every understudy will go on to become a star. In fact, most won't. I don't really dig giving understudies a chance for who they may become -- let's appreciate them for who they are as they perform in front of you, in a job that's pretty damn hard.
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107 posts
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Post by littleflyer on Apr 28, 2016 23:56:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2016 0:48:52 GMT
I have seen several amazing understudies/standbys/alternates over the years, in fact as a general rule the understudies have been better than the leads.
In no particular order:
(The incredible) Shona White - alternate Donna in Mamma Mia
Ashley Day - u/s Elder Price in Book of Mormon
Rachel John - alternate Felicia in Memphis
Jeremy Secomb - emergency cover Phantom in Phantom
Vivienne Carlyle - u/s Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers (she later went on to become lead, not surprised)
Harriet Thorpe's understudy in Great Britain, whose name I shamefully don't know
Adam Pearce - u/s Javert and Thenardier in Les Mis (have seen him as both and he's fantastic)
Katy Secombe - u/s Madame Thenardier in Les Mis
Charlotte Kennedy - u/s Cosette in Les Mis
Jessamy Stoddart - u/s Fantine in Les Mis (she was so good I now have no desire to see the show without her in)
Scott Monello - u/s Galileo in We Will Rock You and u/s Dillamond in Wicked
Emma Hatton - u/s Meat in We Will Rock You and s/b Elphaba in Wicked
Laura Emmitt - u/s Elphaba in Wicked
Sophie Linder-Lee - s/b Glinda in Wicked
Lucy van Gasse - s/b Glinda in Wicked
Carina Gillespie - s/b Glinda in Wicked
Helen Woolf - u/s Glinda in Wicked
Victoria Farley - u/s Glinda in Wicked
David Gale - u/s Fiyero in Wicked
Pippa Buxton - u/s Nessa in Wicked
Marc McBride - u/s Boq in Wicked
Lucyelle Cliffe - u/s Morrible in Wicked
Kerry Enright - u/s Morrible in Wicked
Sean Kearns - u/s Wizard in Wicked
Paul Clarkson - u/s Wizard in Wicked
Philip Childs - u/s Wizard in Wicked
Russell Walker - u/s Dillamond in Wicked
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