You're On Tonight

Kara Alberts-Turner, Liam Horrigan and The Sound Company Ltd

Understudies

West End

Theatre

The Sound Company

London

Stereophonic

The Mousetrap

Cluedo 2

Eddie Marsan

Operation Mincemeat

Hamlet

Sam Denia

Waitress

London, United Kingdom

Swing

Beetlejuice

Resolve

Recovery

The Woman In Black

Tony Nominations

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

46 ratings

Publishes	Daily	Episodes	22	Founded	8 months ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	Performing ArtsArtsTV & Film

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Latest Episodes

What Do Casting Directors REALLY Do? | Stories, Self-Tapes & The Secrets of the Audition Room – Lucy Jenkins & Sooki McShane

Lucy Jenkins and Sooki McShane have cast some of the biggest hits in British theatre, including The Play That Goes Wrong, the original cast of War Horse and A Comedy About Spies. But what does a casting director actually do?

In this episode, they ta... more

13 Oct 2026 • 56 min

Ellie Leach & Hannah Boyce - S*x Scenes and Strictly Come Dancing

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, directed the show while it was on the road, and also understudied Ellie.

In this E... more

11 Oct 2026 • 12 min

I Understudied on the West End’s Biggest Play in a Generation | Hysteria, Hype and Hollywood Press Nights - Harry Bradley

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... more

6 Oct 2026 • 1 hr • Most popular

Clive Marlowe - 15 Years Understudying the Same Roles and Becoming a World Record Holder

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,... more

4 Oct 2026 • 13 min

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Recent Guests

Allie Dart

Actor and understudy who covered a West End role with minimal preparation

Theatre/West End

Episode: I Was Thrown On in the West End for a Role I’d Never Played | Awareness, Attitude, and Always Being Ready – Allie Dart

Emma Lucia

Understudy to Jenna in Waitress on the 10th anniversary tour

Waitress cast

Episode: I Stepped Away from Acting - And Then Got Offered One of Musical Theatre’s Biggest Roles | Pressure, Perspective and Performing for Someone Else’s Fans – Emma Lucia

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

Laura White

Actor, dancer, and wellbeing advocate; star of BBC's Doctors

Actor; wellbeing advocate

Episode: I Went On For A Role I Hadn’t Played in Three Years | Anxiety, Advocacy and Asking For Help - Laura White

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

Hosts

Liam Horrigan

Host of Youre On Tonight; co-host focusing on backstage realities and understudy life.

Kara Alberts-Turner

Co-host of the show; provides industry insights, guest coordination, and technical backstage narratives.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 46 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 Kingdom7 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
Australia8 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
Australia8 months ago

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Listeners Say

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

• Listeners praise candid, insightful understudy stories and relatable backstage chaos.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#175	United States/Arts/Performing Arts
Apple Podcasts	#8	United Kingdom/Arts/Performing Arts
Apple Podcasts	#57	United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts	#36	Australia/Arts/Performing Arts
Apple Podcasts	#40	Italy/Arts/Performing Arts
Apple Podcasts	#84	Germany/Arts/Performing Arts

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 weekly deep-dive into the world of theatre understudies, swings, and cover performers, exploring the adrenaline, preparation, and resilience required to step into big roles at a moment's notice. Across episodes, listeners hear personal journey stories from West End and touring productions, practical backstage realities, and candid discussions about mental health, inclusion, and longevity in a demanding industry. Notable strengths include high-caliber guest perspectives from long-running shows, practical career guidance, and a warm, humorous conversational vibe that makes behind-the-scenes life both relatable and aspirational for aspiring performers and industry insiders alike.

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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. Call To Stage with Amber Davies
2. Hanging Out With Ant & Dec
3. Radio Times Podcast
4. Alan Carr's 'Life's a Beach'
5. Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware

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

You're On Tonight launched 8 months ago and published 22 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact You're On Tonight?

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What guests have appeared on You're On Tonight?

Recent guests on You're On Tonight include:

1. Allie Dart
2. Emma Lucia
3. Princess Donna
4. Sam Denia
5. Laura White
6. Megan Armstrong
7. Georgie Staight
8. Eddie Marsan

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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