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You're On Tonight

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

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

www.tiktok.com/youreontonight

Listen wherever you get your podcasts.


Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  • 28 episodes
  • a few times a week
  • Avg 37 min
  • English

Episodes 28

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  • Wednesday · 37 min

    The Director's Notes: The Best Advice from Season One

    We're taking a little mid-season break from Season 2 of You're On Tonight, but we've got something special for you! What's the secret to building a lasting career in theatre? And what do the people who've actually done it wish they'd known sooner? In this special episode, Kara and Liam revisit some of the most memorable advice from Season 1, bringing together the wisdom, experiences and unexpected lessons that have stayed with them. From Eddie Marsan on becoming invaluable by solving problems, to director Georgie Staight on building relationships rather than contacts, Laura White on refusing to be put in a box, and James Haxby on staying open to wherever your career takes you. Plus, Nicola Espallardo on patience and self-belief, and David Tarkenter on the importance of putting in the work. Kara also shares a piece of advice given to her off-mic by one of the show's guests that's stayed with her ever since: the difference between being an actor who wants to act and someone who simply wants to be an actor. Is it the love of the craft that drives you, or the recognition that comes with it? Full of practical advice, honest reflections and a few brilliant stories, this episode is a reminder that there's no single path to success - and sometimes the most valuable lessons come from the journeys you didn't plan. If you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at: Instagram @youreontonight TikTok @youreontonight YouTube @youreontonight Get in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com Hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner & Liam Horrigan. Produced by and recorded at The Sound Company, London. For The Sound Company: Dom Boucher, Luke Nagy, Gareth Wood & Nick Thackeray-Cron alongside Freya Baldwin & Seb Stone. Show image by Louisa Sexton. Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk Get in touch: youreontonight@gmail.com www.instagram.com/youreontonight www.youtube.com/youreontonight www.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Monday · 16 min

    Eddie Marsan - Learning to Become a Problem-Solver

    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 this encore, Eddie talks about how he learnt to act on stages above pubs in anonymity, how the best actors are problem-solvers, and why he still faces classism in the industry today despite his success. Link to the full episode: https://pod.link/1875555963/episode/NjliMDM2MDQ3MzhkNmZiYmYyMGQyMzJi If you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at: Instagram @youreontonight TikTok @youreontonight YouTube @youreontonight Get in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com Hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner & Liam Horrigan. Produced by and recorded at The Sound Company, London. For The Sound Company: Dom Boucher, Luke Nagy, Gareth Wood & Nick Thackeray-Cron alongside Freya Baldwin & Seb Stone. Show image by Louisa Sexton. Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk Get in touch: youreontonight@gmail.com www.instagram.com/youreontonight www.youtube.com/youreontonight www.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E6
    October 28 · 1 hr 3 min

    I Created A West End Hit That Went Wrong Around The World | Mayhem, Mishaps, and Mischief Theatre - Jonathan Sayer

    Jonathan Sayer knows better than most what happens when theatre goes wrong. As one third of the writing team behind Mischief Theatre, he helped create The Play That Goes Wrong, A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong and The Comedy About Spies - shows that have gone from humble beginnings to international success, playing everywhere from the West End and Broadway to stages in more than 50 countries. But when it comes to things going wrong, Jonathan has stories of his own. From spectacular set malfunctions to improvised lines he wishes he could take back, Jonathan has an extraordinary catalogue of backstage chaos. And for the first time, he shares what he considers the worst moment of his career: a story involving a harness, a toilet, and a ticking time bomb of a disaster. Alongside all this, we hear how understudies in his shows have saved the day time and again - including one of the most unbelievable understudy stories we've ever heard, complete with a transatlantic twist. We also explore the journey of Mischief Theatre, from its very early days to becoming a global theatrical phenomenon, and what Jonathan has learned about navigating success, and why he’s learning to spend more time appreciating what’s already in front of him. And despite having created a role played by hundreds of actors around the world, Jonathan is full of admiration for the understudies and swings who keep theatre running. He tells us why he finds what they do extraordinary, why he couldn't imagine doing it himself, and what makes their work so essential. Jonathan Sayer - You’re On Tonight. If you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at: Instagram @youreontonight TikTok @youreontonight YouTube @youreontonight Get in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com Hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner & Liam Horrigan. Produced by and recorded at The Sound Company, London. For The Sound Company: Dom Boucher, Luke Nagy, Gareth Wood & Nick Thackeray-Cron alongside Freya Baldwin & Seb Stone. Show image by Louisa Sexton. Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk Get in touch: youreontonight@gmail.com www.instagram.com/youreontonight www.youtube.com/youreontonight www.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • October 26 · 14 min

    Nicola Espallardo - Why Achieving Your Dream Can Be Terrifying

    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. In this encore, Nicola discusses achieving her dream – not only how empowering it felt, but why it can also lead to the scariest moment in any career: figuring out what comes next. We also hear an incredible story of what happens when Elphaba sings the wrong line – and why that moment is a part of theatre history forever. Link to the full episode: https://pod.link/1875555963/episode/NjlhNzQxYTNkYjk0MmU4NWNjOTNmMjFi If you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at: Instagram @youreontonight TikTok @youreontonight YouTube @youreontonight Get in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com Hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner & Liam Horrigan. Produced by and recorded at The Sound Company, London. For The Sound Company: Dom Boucher, Luke Nagy, Gareth Wood & Nick Thackeray-Cron alongside Freya Baldwin & Seb Stone. Show image by Louisa Sexton. Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk Get in touch: youreontonight@gmail.com www.instagram.com/youreontonight www.youtube.com/youreontonight www.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E5
    October 20 · 49 min

    I Had 18 Minutes To Become Meryl Streep | Last-Minute Leads & Life-Changing Moments - Steph Parry

    Steph Parry’s most memorable understudy story sounds like something straight out of a musical. In 2016, while working as a standby in 42nd Street, Steph got a phone call telling her to run to a completely different theatre, where a different cast, performing a different show, desperately needed her to step in as Donna in Mamma Mia! With just 18 minutes to get on stage, she went from eating her dinner in the dressing room to playing one of musical theatre’s biggest leading roles - and the press attention that followed changed her life. In this episode, Steph takes us behind the scenes of the whirlwind that followed, from a week in the spotlight to the strange reality of returning to understudying once the moment had passed. Steph also opens up about a very different challenge: taking her newborn baby on an international tour. From the realities of balancing parenthood with performance to the support that working mums and dads actually need, she has plenty to say about how the theatre industry could do better for parents. And after a career full of last-minute call-ups, unexpected opportunities and extraordinary saves, Steph reflects on why she can no longer do understudying - and what happens when the job you’ve built your career around no longer fits. Steph Parry - You’re On Tonight. If you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at: Instagram @youreontonight TikTok @youreontonight YouTube @youreontonight Get in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com Hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner & Liam Horrigan. Produced by and recorded at The Sound Company, London. For The Sound Company: Dom Boucher, Luke Nagy, Gareth Wood & Nick Thackeray-Cron alongside Freya Baldwin & Seb Stone. Show image by Louisa Sexton. Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk Get in touch: youreontonight@gmail.com www.instagram.com/youreontonight www.youtube.com/youreontonight www.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • October 18 · 10 min

    David Tarkenter - Experiencing a Real-Life Acting Nightmare

    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 his stories left us speechless. In this Encore, David tells a truly unforgettable story about being flown around the world at a moment’s notice to cover in a production of Hamlet – only to have no idea who he was playing, which were his costumes, and who anyone else on stage was supposed to be. Link to the full episode: https://pod.link/1875555963/episode/Njk5ZTQwODQ0M2NlYjAxMDVkOTZlNDc4?view=apps&sort=popularity If you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at: Instagram @youreontonight TikTok @youreontonight YouTube @youreontonight Get in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com Hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner & Liam Horrigan. Produced by and recorded at The Sound Company, London. For The Sound Company: Dom Boucher, Luke Nagy, Gareth Wood & Nick Thackeray-Cron alongside Freya Baldwin & Seb Stone. Show image by Louisa Sexton. Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk Get in touch: youreontonight@gmail.com www.instagram.com/youreontonight www.youtube.com/youreontonight www.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E4
    October 13 · 56 min

    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 take us behind the scenes of the casting process, revealing how the industry works, what a casting director is really looking for, and how the job has changed dramatically over the course of their careers. From delivering scripts by hand to actors’ front doors (and their favourite Soho pubs) to the rise of self-tapes, Lucy and Sooki reflect on how technology has transformed the audition process – for better and for worse. They explore what we’ve gained, what we’ve lost, and what it means to find the right actor in an industry that looks very different from the one they started in. And, of course, they have the stories to prove it. From casting their first Bollywood film to taking matters into their own hands and puppeteering the horses in War Horse, their careers have taken them to some extraordinary places. But what does a casting director actually look for in an audition? How do they balance a director’s vision with the needs of an actor who might be nervous, inexperienced or having a particularly bad day? And what are the definite do’s and don’ts that every actor should know before walking into the room - or switching on their camera? Lucy and Sooki give us the real lowdown on life on the other side of the casting table, offering an insight into one of the theatre industry’s most misunderstood jobs. Whether you’re an actor preparing for your next audition or simply curious about how the people on stage end up there, this is an episode packed with industry secrets, hard-earned wisdom and a few surprises along the way. Lucy Jenkins & Sooki McShane - You’re On Tonight. If you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at: Instagram @youreontonight TikTok @youreontonight YouTube @youreontonight Get in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com Hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner & Liam Horrigan. Produced by and recorded at The Sound Company, London. For The Sound Company: Dom Boucher, Luke Nagy, Gareth Wood & Nick Thackeray-Cron alongside Freya Baldwin & Seb Stone. Show image by Louisa Sexton. Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk Get in touch: youreontonight@gmail.com www.instagram.com/youreontonight www.youtube.com/youreontonight www.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • October 11 · 12 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 Encore, Ellie discusses the horrors that come with performing live, including wigs going haywire and styling out stumbles. Hannah talks about her time understudying on Broadway, and what it’s like as an understudy to rehearse sex scenes. Reflecting on their careers - this is the kind of honesty you only hear when the rehearsal room doors are closed. Link to the full episode: https://pod.link/1875555963/episode/Njk5NGQ5ZjMzYmEyNTc3MmZlZTY5ZmIx?view=apps&sort=popularity If you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at: Instagram @youreontonight TikTok @youreontonight YouTube @youreontonight Get in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com Hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner & Liam Horrigan. Produced by and recorded at The Sound Company, London. For The Sound Company: Dom Boucher, Luke Nagy, Gareth Wood & Nick Thackeray-Cron alongside Freya Baldwin & Seb Stone. Show image by Louisa Sexton. Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk Get in touch: youreontonight@gmail.com www.instagram.com/youreontonight www.youtube.com/youreontonight www.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E3
    October 6 · 1 hr

    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 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, difficult and sometimes terrifying experience of attending a huge press night when nobody knows who you are, or quite what you do. He also has some of the best stories we’ve ever heard about the sheer weirdness of being a cover - from playing the back of someone’s head to doing a fight call in front of 1,000 people without any trousers on. But Harry is also incredibly open about the harder side of understudying: the frustration, the lack of purpose, and the feeling that the job can somehow be seen as less valuable than being a principal. He gives us possibly the best analogy for understudying we’ve ever had on the show. From his first job in New Zealand to making his West End debut, Harry reflects on what a successful acting career actually looks like – and why progression isn’t always about the next big credit, but about what you learn about yourself, your craft and the people you work with. Harry Bradley - You’re On Tonight. Harry's graphic design business: https://www.harrypbradley.com/portfolio If you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at: Instagram @youreontonight TikTok @youreontonight YouTube @youreontonight Get in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com Hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner & Liam Horrigan. Produced by and recorded at The Sound Company, London. For The Sound Company: Dom Boucher, Luke Nagy, Gareth Wood & Nick Thackeray-Cron alongside Freya Baldwin & Seb Stone. Show image by Louisa Sexton. Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk Get in touch: youreontonight@gmail.com www.instagram.com/youreontonight www.youtube.com/youreontonight www.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • October 4 · 13 min

    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, 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 like to be thrown onstage unprepared, how the class system dictated the start of his career, and what it can feel like to be perpetually waiting in the wings. Link to the full episode: https://pods.link/b6jtgtbv8vd50 If you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at: Instagram @youreontonight TikTok @youreontonight YouTube @youreontonight Get in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com Hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner & Liam Horrigan. Produced by and recorded at The Sound Company, London. For The Sound Company: Dom Boucher, Luke Nagy, Gareth Wood & Nick Thackeray-Cron alongside Freya Baldwin & Seb Stone. Show image by Louisa Sexton. Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk Get in touch: youreontonight@gmail.com www.instagram.com/youreontonight www.youtube.com/youreontonight www.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E2
    September 29 · 55 min

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

    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 role she didn’t cover, had never rehearsed, and had never even looked at - with just a few hours’ notice. She tells us what it takes to step into the unknown, trust your instincts, and make the most of an opportunity you never saw coming. From multi-rolling comedies to brand new musicals, Allie has built a career around being adaptable. In this episode, she talks about why new work is always a challenge, how she deals with last-minute re-writes, and why the process of creating a piece of theatre doesn’t stop once press night is over. Live theatre is constantly evolving - and nobody feels this more than the understudy. But this episode also looks at some of the less glamorous realities of acting. Allie opens up about the challenges of touring, why cast and company members don’t always feel safe on the road, and why it’s time to have a conversation about the culture surrounding digs. More than anything, this is an episode about attitude. About staying positive when things don’t go to plan, believing in yourself when you’re thrown into the unknown, and how you become the person who always has a solution ready. Allie Dart - You’re On Tonight. If you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at: Instagram @youreontonight TikTok @youreontonight YouTube @youreontonight Get in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com Hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner & Liam Horrigan. Produced by and recorded at The Sound Company, London. For The Sound Company: Dom Boucher, Luke Nagy, Gareth Wood & Nick Thackeray-Cron alongside Freya Baldwin & Seb Stone. Show image by Louisa Sexton. Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk Get in touch: youreontonight@gmail.com www.instagram.com/youreontonight www.youtube.com/youreontonight www.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • September 27 · 14 min

    Dawn Buckland - Flooding A Theatre and Playing Danny Dyer's Mother

    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, causing a power outage mid-show, and what happened when she had to play Danny Dyer’s mother. Link to the full episode: https://pods.link/sgn44ppwn6bns If you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at: Instagram @youreontonight TikTok @youreontonight YouTube @youreontonight Get in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com Hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner & Liam Horrigan. Produced by and recorded at The Sound Company, London. For The Sound Company: Dom Boucher, Luke Nagy, Gareth Wood & Nick Thackeray-Cron alongside Freya Baldwin & Seb Stone. Show image by Louisa Sexton. Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk Get in touch: youreontonight@gmail.com www.instagram.com/youreontonight www.youtube.com/youreontonight www.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E1
    September 22 · 44 min

    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

    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 Fletcher - Emma knows what it feels like to walk onstage as an understudy in front of an audience who have arrived expecting somebody else. In this episode, she takes us inside that experience - the pressure, the nerves, the expectations and the challenge of trusting that you are enough when the spotlight suddenly lands on you. But Emma’s story goes much further. She opens up about one of the biggest decisions of her career: stepping away from acting altogether. She talks about why she left the industry, what eventually brought her back, how much she missed the people and community she had left behind, and why she’s now approaching her career with one very different priority - having fun. Emma shares some of the most extraordinary stories we’ve heard yet, including one spectacular piece of backstage chaos involving a moment where - in her own words - her life flashed before her eyes. We also talk about the power nerves can have over you, what it’s like performing when every instinct in your body is telling you to run, and Emma gives perhaps the most honest answer we’ve ever heard to one very simple question: Why do you do it? Emma Lucia - You’re On Tonight. Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk Get in touch: youreontonight@gmail.com www.instagram.com/youreontonight www.youtube.com/youreontonight www.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • September 22 · 1 min

    We are BACK for Season 2!

    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 beyond the dressing room - until now. These are the stories you don’t hear in the programme, the press interview or the curtain call. Told by the people who actually lived them. Twelve episodes. Plenty more stories to tell. New episodes every Wednesday. Get in touch: youreontonight@gmail.com www.instagram.com/youreontonight www.youtube.com/youreontonight www.tiktok.com/youreontonight Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk Get in touch: youreontonight@gmail.com www.instagram.com/youreontonight www.youtube.com/youreontonight www.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E13
    May 6 · 47 sec

    And That's Season One...

    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 youreontonight@gmail.com or over on socials below. Instagram @youreontonight TikTok @youreontonight YouTube @youreontonight Get in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com Hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner & Liam Horrigan. Produced by and recorded at The Sound Company, London. For The Sound Company: Dom Boucher, Luke Nagy, Gareth Wood & Nick Thackeray-Cron alongside Freya Baldwin & Seb Stone. Show image by Louisa Sexton. Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk Get in touch: youreontonight@gmail.com www.instagram.com/youreontonight www.youtube.com/youreontonight www.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E12
    April 21 · 55 min

    I Was Paid to Perform Drunk on Stage | Shocks, Shenanigans & Sh*tfaced Shakespeare - Princess Donnough

    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 chaotic shows in theatre – where one performer is absolutely smashed and the rest of the cast have to somehow keep a Shakespeare play on track. From audience members being dragged onstage to impromptu dance breaks and theatre mayhem, she shares what it’s really like to perform in a show where anything can (and does) happen. Princess also introduces us to her unforgettable stage persona Levi, explains why she keeps coming back to the madness, and offers a survival guide to dealing with the world’s worst hanxiety. Alongside the chaos, we hear about her meteoric rise in the West End, and Princess reflects on her journey into an industry she didn’t grow up around, what kept her going through those early years of graft, and why she’s so passionate about making sure everyone gets their shot. This is an episode about resilience, risk, and the joy of letting go – and a reminder of exactly what makes the West End so special. Princess Donnough – You’re On Tonight If you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at: Instagram @youreontonight TikTok @youreontonight YouTube @youreontonight Get in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com Hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner & Liam Horrigan. Produced by and recorded at The Sound Company, London. For The Sound Company: Dom Boucher, Luke Nagy, Gareth Wood & Nick Thackeray-Cron alongside Freya Baldwin & Seb Stone. Show image by Louisa Sexton. Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk Get in touch: youreontonight@gmail.com www.instagram.com/youreontonight www.youtube.com/youreontonight www.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E11
    April 14 · 49 min

    I’ve Covered Beetlejuice & Willy Wonka | Ambition, Adapting & Almost Giving Up - James Haxby

    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, stepping into the shoes of the role’s creator, Eddie Perfect. In this episode, James shares what it’s really like to cover such legendary parts, and how connecting with other covers across the world became a lifeline in some of the most high-pressure moments of his career. Along the way, he takes us inside his time performing with the Pop-Up Globe in Australia and New Zealand – from ‘original practice’ Shakespeare to sweating it out in full armour in 40-degree heat. He also tells the story of being pushed onstage on opening night of his first understudying job - handed a script, a shot of whiskey, and told simply to get onstage. We also dive into the surprising differences between working in the UK and Australia - and why it’s not just about the weather. But more than anything, this is an episode about resilience. From struggling to find work in Australia, to moving across the world to go to drama school, to nearly giving up on acting altogether - before one final audition changed everything. James Haxby - You’re On Tonight. If you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at: Instagram @youreontonight TikTok @youreontonight YouTube @youreontonight Get in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com Hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner & Liam Horrigan. Produced by and recorded at The Sound Company, London. For The Sound Company: Dom Boucher, Luke Nagy, Gareth Wood & Nick Thackeray-Cron alongside Freya Baldwin & Seb Stone. Show image by Louisa Sexton. Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk Get in touch: youreontonight@gmail.com www.instagram.com/youreontonight www.youtube.com/youreontonight www.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E10
    April 7 · 40 min

    I Understudied on the Most Nominated Show in Tony History | Stereophonic, Support & Swapping Roles - Sam Denia

    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 actors who have won Tony Awards for the very roles he covered, as well as Olivier Award nominees such as Zachary Hart (nominated for Stereophonic and The Seagull). But Sam’s role went far beyond covering actors. In a show built around a live band, we hear how Sam also had to be ready to step in with instruments - a completely different kind of pressure that demands precision, musicality, and total calm under fire. Alongside this, Sam talks about taking on the iconic role of Frank Spencer in a stage adaptation of Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em, and what it was like bringing such a beloved, well-known character to life again. More than anything, this is an episode about what happens when people truly support one another, and about the quiet encouragement and generosity that stays with you long after you’ve finished a job. Sam Denia - You’re On Tonight. If you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at: Instagram @youreontonight TikTok @youreontonight YouTube @youreontonight Get in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com Hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner & Liam Horrigan. Produced by and recorded at The Sound Company, London. For The Sound Company: Dom Boucher, Luke Nagy, Gareth Wood & Nick Thackeray-Cron alongside Freya Baldwin & Seb Stone. Show image by Louisa Sexton. Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk Get in touch: youreontonight@gmail.com www.instagram.com/youreontonight www.youtube.com/youreontonight www.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E9
    March 31 · 44 min

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

    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 Wrong… goes wrong. But this episode is also about something much more. In 2020, Laura set up the Page One Project – a mentorship programme supporting emerging artists from the global majority. At the same time, she began working with Applause For Thought, providing mental health support for actors and artists in the creative community. Laura tells us why she works so passionately to support others in the industry, why it’s important to ask for help, and how her experience understudying in the West End made her realise she could be the change she needed to see. Laura White - You’re on Tonight If you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at: Instagram @youreontonight TikTok @youreontonight YouTube @youreontonight Get in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com Hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner & Liam Horrigan. Produced by and recorded at The Sound Company, London. For The Sound Company: Dom Boucher, Luke Nagy, Gareth Wood & Nick Thackeray-Cron alongside Freya Baldwin & Seb Stone. Show image by Louisa Sexton. Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk Get in touch: youreontonight@gmail.com www.instagram.com/youreontonight www.youtube.com/youreontonight www.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E8
    March 25 · 48 min

    I Wasn’t Allowed to Tell Anyone What I Did for a Year | Secrecy, Swing-Eye, and Censoring H***er - Megan Armstrong

    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 Black. And she wasn’t allowed to tell a soul. We find out what it was like to play a role shrouded in secrecy, our most last minute you're on tonight story ever and what happens when touring shows overseas and things get lost in translation. We hear tales of trampoline terror, missing entrances, and why it's okay to not want to do eight shows a week. Megan Armstrong - You’re On Tonight. If you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at: Instagram @youreontonight TikTok @youreontonight YouTube @youreontonight Get in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com Hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner & Liam Horrigan. Produced by and recorded at The Sound Company, London. For The Sound Company: Dom Boucher, Luke Nagy, Gareth Wood & Nick Thackeray-Cron alongside Freya Baldwin & Seb Stone. Show image by Louisa Sexton. Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk Get in touch: youreontonight@gmail.com www.instagram.com/youreontonight www.youtube.com/youreontonight www.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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