Best Understudy and Cover Stories of 2019

Standbys, understudies, alternates and swings are integral to the running of a show. They save the day on a daily bases all around the country in all kinds of shows. In a time where some shows champion their covers on social media and in the actual theatres, some shows still restrict the cast members on the publication of dates and information about their cover dates. But to prove how incredible they actually are, we looked back at the past year with our friends at @WestEndCovers and put together a list of the Best Understudy and Cover stories of 2019!  

"This year the recognition for standbys and alternates has been greater than any before. Some newer shows with smaller casts like Six, Come From Away and Dear Evan Hansen rely on their standbys (who do not perform unless on for one of their cover roles) and alternates (who weekly scheduled shows as their cover) rather than the more common understudy and swing model for shows with a larger ensemble. The difference is that understudies may be a member of the ensemble or a swing who steps up to cover a principle role and a swing steps in to cover ensemble tracks." - @WestEndCovers 

And we must mention but our beloved West End Understudies account are in their 5th Year in 2020!  Here's to the next 5 years of celebrating our fantastic covers all across the theatre industry! 

Take a look at some of these extrodinary stories and tweet us any you think we missed out! @PocketSizeBlog

Pocket Size Theatre | Faces to look out for in 2019

Here at Pocket we are lucky enough to cover such a huge range of Theatre, from Opera to ballet and Fringe to West End. As a team, we see so much variety that is so hard not to recognise people for their talents. In some reviews its hard to just recognise someones talent because you have to look on it as a piece of theatre, not just singling out one persons contribution to the production. But as 2018 comes to a close, we had brought together a list of people who we think are going to be the hot names of 2019. So keep an eye out for these talents, as I'm sure you'll all see more of them soon. 

Toby Marlow | Writer

After being part of the Duo who wrote the phenomenal new musical, Six, and recently bring his new show 'Hot Gay Time Machine', which he also co-wrote Toby is on our list because the success he has achieved in such a small amount of time is astonishing and totally well deserved. Our faith in the British musical theatre scene is officially back!

Tessa Kadler | Actor

After making her West End debut as the understudy to Katherine Jenkins in Carousel at the London Coliseum, we've seen a lot from Tessa this year. From her performance as Catherine in Pippin at the Hope Mill in Manchester and later at the Southwark Playhouse to playing Kitty in the Return of the Solider at the Hope Mill also. She is currently playing Maria in the Sound of Music in Cyprus, we hope to see more of her in 2019.

Oscar Conlon-Morrey | Actor

After seeing Oscar in Toxic Avenger in 2017, we have followed his career as his performance was just a complete stand out. He has gone from strength to strength, 2018 saw him in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat at Kilworth House Theatre & most recently in Nativity. He has also been cast in the new musical adaptation of Only Fools and Horses at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in the new year. Having only graduated drama school in 2017, we can't wait to see what the next few years brings him.