Theatregoers miss out as stand-ins take centre stage

The initial hype may have centred on the Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe taking his clothes off on stage but for many in the audience at Equus this week there was an equally good reason to queue for premium-priced tickets.

Richard Griffiths, the second big name in the much-heralded production, was said to give a strong - albeit fully clothed - performance and fans of the veteran actor were willing to do anything to get their hands on the few seats left.

But anything, it turned out, was not enough. The lights went down, the curtain opened and the role of the overburdened psychiatrist was played by the lesser-known Colin Haigh, an understudy who walked on stage reading the script from a notebook. Griffiths, it was explained, had gone down with flu.

The performance is one of a number of recent West End shows where understudies have been forced to step in at the last minute.

Audiences at a performance of the highly acclaimed Sound of Music, in which the central cast members, Connie Fisher and Lesley Garrett, have been credited with attracting increased bookings, discovered both actresses as well as the lead male performer, Alexander Hanson, were absent two weeks ago due to illness.

Meanwhile, Anna Madeley recently stepped in for Carey Mulligan as Nina in The Seagull at The Royal Court Theatre.

While industry insiders argue that the seasonal "bout of flu" is intrinsic to live productions, audiences have begun to voice their dissatisfaction over not seeing the big-name performers they paid to see.

Fisher's absence in her role of Maria, which has resulted in her understudy, Sophie Bould, filling in for her this week and next, has led the production team to consider refunds.

A statement from the theatre said that it was through Fisher's desire "not to let the public down" that she sang with a heavy cold which caused a vocal injury.

The statement added: "The vocal chords are a muscle like any other and, as in the sporting world, when injured they require complete rest to recover.

"On her doctor's advice Connie has to take two weeks off from the show starting on Monday night in order to allow the injury time to repair."

While audience members, who paid up to £50 for a seat in the stalls, complained about the performance given by Colin Haigh, the play's producer, David Pugh, stressed that the production was facing changes right up until the opening and that "the understudies have only been rehearsing the final script since Thursday."

Terri Paddock, the editor of Whatson-stage.com, said illness among actors and the sudden employment of understudies was inevitable. What was unacceptable was if the understudy was not well-versed in the role.

"If someone pays £50 for a show and they are not seeing a professional production by the understudy, then it seems to me that people have every right to demand a refund," she said.

Ms Paddock added that it was often the sudden illness of a big star, that led a formerly unknown understudy to steal the show .

Fisher's stand-in,Sophie Bould, has been receiving standing ovations.Laura Michelle Kelly, who recently won an Olivier Award for her lead role in Mary Poppins, began her career as the understudy for Martine McCutcheon in My Fair Lady. The understudy who followed, Alexandra Jay, went on to have lead roles in Cabaret and Mamma Mia.

Understudies overdone?

My Fair Lady

When Martine McCutcheon lost her voice in Trevor Nunn's revival of the musical, the leading role was filled so successfully by Laura Michelle Kelly and Alexandra Jay, that it propelled both actresses' West End careers

Equus

Richard Griffiths missed performances of Peter Schaffer's play at the Gielgud Theatre last Saturday due to flu. His understudy, Colin Haigh, required a script for his performance

The Philadelphia Story

In 2005, Kevin Spacey was at the centre of a row after theatre-goers bought tickets at London's Old Vic only to discover he was not appearing. He left the role the following month to film Superman Returns for six weeks. His role was filled by Adrian Lukis

The Sound of Music

After Connie Fisher was struck down with a vocal injury, Sophie Bould has excelled in the role of Maria at the Royal Palladium, while Margaret Preece stood in for Lesley Garrett two weeks ago

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