Tabard understands how it must feel for an understudy when they finally get the chance to step into the role they have been living under the shadow of for so long. Such joy, such elation! But what about when an understudy gets to perform a role, only for a reviewer to credit the performer who normally takes on the part.
Such anger, such frustration!
Take the current UK tour of South Pacific, for example. Actor Stephen John Davis, himself an understudy for Emile in the show, took umbrage when the Southern Daily Echo reviewed the production in Southampton and praised Loretta Ables Sayre for her “real stage presence” and “comical yet sinister” turn as Bloody Mary. Sadly for the critic who attended, the Bloody Mary she saw was played by Jacqueline Tate, as Davis pointed out on his Twitter account.
“Understudies get precious little opportunity to be recognised and JT should get the plaudits she deserves,” he wrote, before demanding the paper changed its online review and calling the reviewer in question “lazy”. Tabard urges all critics to take care to ensure this type of mistake is not repeated. The last thing we need is an understudies revolt on our hands. They can be a vicious bunch when they want to be.
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