Rephonic
Artwork for You're On Tonight
Understudies
Theatre
The Sound Company
London
Stereophonic
West End
The Mousetrap
Cluedo 2
Eddie Marsan
Operation Mincemeat
Hamlet
Sam Denia
Swing
Beetlejuice
Resolve
Recovery
The Woman In Black
Tony Nominations
Shitface Shakespeare

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.

Get in touch:

youreontonight@gmail.com

www.instagram.com/youreontonight

www.youtube.com/youreontonight more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes14Founded4 months ago
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Performing ArtsArtsTV & Film

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Artwork for You're On Tonight

Latest Episodes

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 ey... more

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 tha... more

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 tell... more

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,... more

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Recent Guests

Princess Donna
The guest discussed as an understudy who covered and then led in Yes, Prime Minister at the West End; also involved with Shitface Shakespeare
West End theatre performer
Episode: I Was Paid to Perform Drunk on Stage | Shocks, Shenanigans & Sh*tfaced Shakespeare - Princess Donnough
Sam Denia
Actor understudy on Stereophonic
Stereophonic
Episode: I Understudied on the Most Nominated Show in Tony History | Stereophonic, Support & Swapping Roles - Sam Denia
Megan Armstrong
Swing and understudy in major West End productions
The Producers (West End), The Woman in Black (audience-illusion role), Tina Turner Musical (noted elsewhere in discussion)
Episode: I Wasn’t Allowed to Tell Anyone What I Did for a Year | Secrecy, Swing-Eye, and Censoring H***er - Megan Armstrong
Georgie Staight
Director and Associate Director on Operation Mincemeat and Hamlet
Director
Episode: I'm Inside The Rehearsal Rooms of West End & Broadway Smash Hits - Hamlet, Operation Mincemeat and Flo & Joan | Georgie Staight
Eddie Marsan
British actor with extensive stage and screen credits
Episode: I Had to Perform Without Ever Seeing The Script - Eddie Marsan | Class, Prejudice & Stepping On Stage For The First Time in 24 Years
Nicola Espallardo
Actor and understudy who has covered Elphaba (Wicked), Eponine (Les Misérables), and The Schuyler Sisters (Hamilton)
Episode: I Was The First Asian Elphaba in the West End’s Wicked - Determination, Delusion & Dreaming Big | Nicola Espallardo
David Tarkenter
Actor and understudy with a long career backing up major stars
Theatre professional
Episode: I Understudied Donald Trump, Joe Biden & Ralph Fiennes - Presidents, Panic & Preparation | David Tarkenter
Ellie Leach
Strictly Come Dancing winner and Coronation Street actor
Coronation Street / Strictly Come Dancing
Episode: I Was Terrified to Walk Out on Stage - Ellie Leach & Hannah Boyce | Nudity, Nerves & Never Giving Up
Hannah Boyce
Understudied Miss Scarlett on the Cluedo 2 tour
Cluedo 2
Episode: I Was Terrified to Walk Out on Stage - Ellie Leach & Hannah Boyce | Nudity, Nerves & Never Giving Up

Hosts

Liam Horrigan
Co-host of the show; experienced in theatre-focused discussions and understudy lifecycle
Kara Alberts-Turner
Co-host of the show; leads conversations with guests about understudies, swing systems, and industry realities

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 18 ratings
  • Loving This Podcast

    I have seen lots of understudies in shows and not always known at the time. They are so brilliant. This series is a great insight into their world. Their versatility. The originality they bring to a show and the fun they have and pitfalls they encounter along the way. Loving it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SallyHorr
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Fascinating!

    Not having been in the “industry” it’s fascinating listening to those who’ve had to go “On” as understudies.

    Thanks Kara, Liam and your guests. We’re looking forward to future episodes

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Caulfield Fan
    Australia4 months ago
  • LOVE IT

    Absolutely hilarious and gripping. These two are natural storyteller and as someone who isn’t theatre obsessed, I can’t stop listening. Couldn’t recommend more.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zoe L Y A
    Australia4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Lively, insightful discussions with relatable backstage stories.
Hosts are natural storytellers; interviews feel authentic and engaging.
Fans love the mix of humor and hard-won theatre wisdom.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

I'm Inside The Rehearsal Rooms of West End & Broadway Smash Hits - Hamlet, Operation Mincemeat and Flo & Joan | Georgie Staight
Q: Could you explain how the roles of director and associate differ?
The director leads the overall creative vision and rehearsals, while the associate supports the director, acts as a second eye, and specifically handles understudy rehearsals and preparation.
I'm Inside The Rehearsal Rooms of West End & Broadway Smash Hits - Hamlet, Operation Mincemeat and Flo & Joan | Georgie Staight
Q: To start with, how did you get into directing? What was the process of getting into that?
Georgie explains she studied philosophy at Bristol, found theatre through drama society, and then pursued formal directing training at Mountview, before starting a theatre company to gain practical experience in producing and directing new work.
I Had to Perform Without Ever Seeing The Script - Eddie Marsan | Class, Prejudice & Stepping On Stage For The First Time in 24 Years
Q: What was it like to perform on stage after 24 years without seeing the script beforehand?
Marsan describes the extreme understudying experience as nerve-wracking yet liberating, relying on quick learning and trust in fellow cast and director to navigate the scene in real time.
I Was Booed By 3,000 People - Musicals, Mayhem & Menopause | Dawn Buckland
Q: What has been the proudest moment of your career?
Dawn highlights the fresh validation from the Cluedo reviews as a recent, affirming moment where she felt seen for who she is on stage, marking a personal milestone after a long, diverse career.
I’ve Understudied The Same Role For 15 Years - Longevity, Addiction & Being a World Record Holder | Clive Marlowe
Q: If you could change anything about understudying or the industry's approach to understudying, what would it be?
I would advocate for more consistent understudy opportunities, ensuring coverage and rehearsal access happen for more than one performance per absence, so everyone remains prepared and no one is left in the lurch when a surprise call comes.

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Frequently Asked Questions About You're On Tonight

What is You're On Tonight about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A candid, behind-the-scenes look at understudies, swings, and covers in theatre, with a focus on the realities of stepping into big roles on short notice. Episodes blend practical craft—memory maps, quick-change techniques, and rehearsal pivots—with personal stories about nerve, rejection, resilience, and the long arc of a theatre career. Recurrent threads include balancing performance with wellbeing, representation and accessibility in the industry, and the creativity required to keep live shows running when the lead is unavailable. The format stands out for its mix of expert guests, long-running show insights, and humor, making it a practical listen for aspiring performers, casting professionals, and theatre fans who crave authentic, back... more

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Which podcasts are similar to You're On Tonight?

These podcasts share a similar audience with You're On Tonight:

1. The West End Frame Show: Theatre News, Reviews & Chat

How many episodes of You're On Tonight are there?

You're On Tonight launched 4 months ago and published 14 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on You're On Tonight?

Recent guests on You're On Tonight include:

1. Princess Donna
2. Sam Denia
3. Megan Armstrong
4. Georgie Staight
5. Eddie Marsan
6. Nicola Espallardo
7. David Tarkenter
8. Ellie Leach

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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