You're On Tonight

When Margot Robbie produced one of the biggest plays to hit the West End in a generation, Hollywood came with her. Quentin Tarantino was at press night, A-listers were descending on the theatre - and Harry Bradley was standing in the middle of it all as an understudy on Ava Pickett’s 1536. Harry talks to us about what it’s like being part of a show surrounded by that level of hype, and the strange...

Clive Marlowe is a world-record holder: he has been covering the same roles on The Mousetrap for 15 years, making him the longest-serving understudy in history and understudy royalty. In this encore, Clive reveals incredible stories from his career, including show-stops, acting through COVID, and the terrifying moment when you’re finally told ‘you’re on tonight.’ He reflects not only on what it’s...

Allie Dart’s days never seem to go to plan. From tiny fringe theatre to massive West End shows, Allie’s career has never shied away from backstage chaos. And she has the stories to prove it. In one of the most extraordinary understudy stories we’ve heard, Allie talks about what happened when her performance went properly viral. In 2025, Allie was asked in The Comedy About Spies to step into a male...

Dawn Buckland has been performing for over 40 years, starting her professional career on Starlight Express when she was just 17. Since then, she’s worked non-stop on stage and screen from Billy Elliot and Fame, to Mamma Mia 2 and Wonka. Dawn has the best collection of stories that you’ve never heard the likes of – until now. In this encore, Dawn talks chaos and crashes on Starlight Express, causin...

Emma Lucia has spent the last year doing one of the hardest jobs in musical theatre: being ready to step on at a moment’s notice and make one of the Musical Theatre’s most recognisable roles her own. All while stepping into a role normally played by one of the most iconic names in the industry. As the cover for Jenna in the 10th anniversary tour of Waitress - a role normally played by Carrie Hope...

WE’RE BACK! Season Two of You’re On Tonight is here - with more extraordinary stories, more backstage chaos and 12 brand-new episodes. More hero stories, more horror stories and completely unbelievable moments from the people who know better than anyone what happens when the show has to go on. The calls nobody expected. The performances nobody planned for. The stories that have never made it beyon...

Somehow… we’ve reached the end of season one. To every single person who’s sent us a message, an email, a DM, or shared their own experience with us - we genuinely cannot tell you how grateful we are. And of course… this isn’t the end. Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming announcements from us soon! If you want to get in touch with the show, share your story, or just say hi, you can reach us at your...

Princess Donnough is an icon. After making her West End debut as an understudy in I’m Sorry, Prime Minister , she was quickly “bumped up” to leading the show night after night – a whirlwind experience that would test any performer’s nerve. But if that sounds intense, it’s nothing compared to her time with Sh*tfaced Shakespeare . In this episode, Princess takes us inside one of the most gloriously...

James Haxby is an understudying legend. He’s worked on some of the biggest shows in the world - from 9 to 5 to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory , where he covered the iconic role of Willy Wonka.  But when James understudies - he goes all in. He tells us how he covered fourteen roles in a single production, and is currently understudying Beetlejuice on its Australian and international tour, s...

Sam Denia is quite simply one of the loveliest people we’ve ever had in the studio - and one with the most strings to his bow (pun intended). In 2025, Sam understudied in Stereophonic - the most Tony Award-nominated play in history. In this episode, he gives us a fascinating insight into what it’s like to work on a show of that scale, covering performances from an extraordinary cast including acto...

Laura White is an inspiration. Not only has she been in everything in the last decade from The Play That Goes Wrong to BBC’s Doctors , she’s also been one of the leading voices shaping the culture of British theatre. Laura has incredible stories from her time understudying – from being called back to play a role she’d not performed for over three years, to what it’s like when The Play That Goes Wr...

Megan Armstrong has been in some of the most exciting shows in the world. From Cats , to Avenue Q , and currently The Producers , Megan has been an understudy, swing, and principal throughout her career. But she has also played one of the most famous - and secretive - roles in the history of theatre. In 2021, Megan was hired to play ‘The Woman’ in the long-running West End production The Woman In...

Georgie Staight is working on some of the most exciting and dynamic productions in theatre today. From Hamlet at the National Theatre to the West End and Broadway smash-hit Operation Mincemeat , she’s built a career shaping performances both on and off stage. But what does a director actually do? In this episode, Georgie pulls back the curtain on the rehearsal room. She explains the different role...

Eddie Marsan has built one of the most extraordinary acting careers in Britain. From Ray Donovan and Ridley Road to blockbusters like Vera Drake, Back to Black, and Sherlock Holmes, he’s almost never been off our screens. But now, for the first time, Eddie talks about his return to the stage after 24 years.  In May, Eddie appeared in the Young Vic’s production of An Oak Tree , where he was fo...

Nicola Espallardo is a trailblazer. Not only has she appeared in some of the biggest musicals in the world (Les Miserables, Hamilton), she was also the first Asian person to play Elphaba in the West End’s Wicked. All before the age of 30.  Nicola has done what many only hope to do - she’s achieved her dream. In this episode she talks about not only how empowering that felt, but why it can als...

David Tarkenter is a rare thing - an actor who simply hasn’t stopped working. For decades he’s graced some of the country’s most iconic stages - The National, The Old Vic, The Globe - alongside theatrical heavyweights including Alan Cumming, Bertie Carvel, Daniel Radcliffe, Mark Gatiss and Johnny Flynn.  And then there’s the story that left us speechless.  In 2021, David understudied Ral...

Strictly Come Dancing winner and star of Coronation Street, Ellie Leach, had her stage debut as Miss Scarlett in 2024 in Cluedo 2. Hannah Boyce starred opposite her, was the show's Resident Director, and also understudied Ellie. Here, for the first time ever, Ellie tells us how terrified she felt about performing for live theatre, and Hannah gives her own experiences of what it’s like for an actor...

Clive Marlowe is a world-record holder: he has been covering the same roles on The Mousetrap for 15 years, making him the longest-serving understudy in history and understudy royalty. This is an episode like no other.  Clive reveals incredible stories from his career, including show-stops, acting through COVID, and the terrifying moment when you’re finally told ‘you’re on tonight.’ He reflect...

Dawn Buckland has been performing for over 40 years, starting her professional career on Starlight Express when she was just 17. Since then, she’s worked non-stop on stage and screen from Billy Elliot and Fame, to Mamma Mia 2 and Wonka. Dawn has the best collection of stories that you’ve never heard the likes of - until now. In this episode, Dawn talks chaos and crashes on Starlight Express, causi...

Launching 11th February, You’re On Tonight is a weekly podcast shining a spotlight on understudies, swings and covers in the theatre industry. Hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner and Liam Horrigan , it shares extraordinary, behind-the-scenes stories from the people who ensure the show must go on. New episodes every Wednesday. Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk Get in touch: youreontonight@gm...