You're On Tonight

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 @youreontonightTikTok @youreontonightYouTube @youreontonightGet 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.ukGet in touch:youreontonight@gmail.comwww.instagram.com/youreontonightwww.youtube.com/youreontonightwww.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 TonightIf you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at:Instagram @youreontonightTikTok @youreontonightYouTube @youreontonightGet 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.ukGet in touch:youreontonight@gmail.comwww.instagram.com/youreontonightwww.youtube.com/youreontonightwww.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Georgie Staight is working on some of the most exciting and dynamic productions in theatre today. From Hamlet at the National Theatre to the West End and Broadway smash-hit Operation Mincemeat, she’s built a career shaping performances both on and off stage.But what does a director actually do?In this episode, Georgie pulls back the curtain on the rehearsal room. She explains the different roles a director plays throughout a process, the crucial differences between a director and an associate director, and what it really takes to build trust with a cast.We also talk about what it’s like to work on one of the biggest hits in theatre, and the fascinating differences between working in the West End and on Broadway - from rehearsal culture to performance pressure.Along the way, Georgie shares her experiences working with comedy duo Flo and Joan, why she’s such a champion of new writing, and answers the question every actor and creative wants to know: how do you actually network with integrity?This is an episode about leadership, collaboration, and what it really takes to bring a show to life.Georgie Staight - You’re On Tonight.If you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at:Instagram @youreontonightTikTok @youreontonightYouTube @youreontonightGet in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com Hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner & Liam HorriganProduced 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.ukGet in touch:youreontonight@gmail.comwww.instagram.com/youreontonightwww.youtube.com/youreontonightwww.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Nicola has done what many only hope to do - she’s achieved her dream. In this episode she talks about not only how empowering that felt, but why it can also lead to the scariest moment in any career: figuring out what comes next. Along the way, we hear truly sensational stories that shine a spotlight on what really goes on in theatre’s biggest shows. Nicola tells us about being hurriedly painted green when she had to go on mid-show for one of the most iconic roles in musical theatre, what happens when you forget your lines and your scene partner has to improvise you both a way out of it, and how to deal with audience members filming your performance night after night. Nicola also shares the pride of being able to represent her community on stage, as well as explaining the pressures that run alongside that. She’s an incredible, inspiring guest in so many ways.Nicola Espallardo, You’re on Tonight. \If you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at:Instagram @youreontonightTikTok @youreontonightYouTube @youreontonightGet in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com Hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner & Liam HorriganProduced 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.ukGet in touch:youreontonight@gmail.comwww.instagram.com/youreontonightwww.youtube.com/youreontonightwww.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, was the show's Resident Director, and also understudied Ellie.Here, for the first time ever, Ellie tells us how terrified she felt about performing for live theatre, and Hannah gives her own experiences of what it’s like for an actor to develop stage fright. Along the way, we hear the most incredible stories from Ellie and Hannah’s careers - wigs going wayward on the Strictly Tour, mad moustaches and getting the giggles on stage, and what it’s like to rehearse sex scenes as an understudy.Reflecting on their careers, Ellie and Hannah also share what’s next. Fear, first nights, and the thrill of facing the crowd - this is the kind of honesty you only hear when the rehearsal room doors are closed.Ellie Leach & Hannah Boyce - You’re On Tonight. If you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at:Instagram @youreontonightTikTok @youreontonightYouTube @youreontonightGet in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com Hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner & Liam HorriganProduced 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.ukGet in touch:youreontonight@gmail.comwww.instagram.com/youreontonightwww.youtube.com/youreontonightwww.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 episode, Dawn talks chaos and crashes on Starlight Express, causing a power outage mid-show, being Cher’s personal choreographer, and what to do when the audience starts literally fighting in the stalls.Reflecting on her long career, Dawn also talks honestly and openly about how menopause affected her voice and forced a career change that she never could have predicted. Dawn Buckland - You’re On Tonight. If you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at:Instagram @youreontonightTikTok @youreontonightYouTube @youreontonightGet in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com Hosted by Liam Horrigan & Kara Alberts-TurnerProduced 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.Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.ukGet in touch:youreontonight@gmail.comwww.instagram.com/youreontonightwww.youtube.com/youreontonightwww.tiktok.com/youreontonight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.