The brand new online ‘self-isolation’ radio play based on the novel by David Nicholls is set to be broadcast in two parts in May.
It has been announced that the play written by Henry Filloux-Bennett and based on the novel by David Nicholls will be broadcast in two parts on Wednesday 20th May and Wednesday 27th May to help raise funds for the theatre industry. The Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield will split proceeds of this project with charities including the Theatre Development Trust (SOLT and UK Theatre), Acting for Others and Equity Charitable Trust.
The line up of actors set to perform in the broadcast include: tephen Fry, Emily Atack, Sheila Atim, Layton Williams, Russell Tovey, Sarah Hadland, Mina Anwar with more to be announced. Everyone taking part will be doing so in isolation with actors recording their lines at home and will be brought to life by the sound design team.
Those wishing to listen to the broadcast will be able to do so by purchasing a ticket – all of the proceeds of which will all go to help individuals and organisations struggling because of Coronavirus.
Actor Stephen McQueen has just landed a dream West End role. Well, that’s not quite true – he’s going to be is understudying film star (and 12th Sexiest Man in the World) Josh Harper in the brand-new show ‘Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know’, but still…Whilst he’s waiting for his time to shine, he reflects on his career – one that has spanned everything from (non-speaking) Rent Boy 3 in ‘The Bill’ to his recent starring role as Sammy in the (low-budget) regional tour of ‘Sammy The Squirrel’s Seriously Silly Safari’.
With this new job Stephen’s stage career may be destined for the dizzying heights, but not everything is going quite as well. Stephen’s wife left him two years ago, wondering if he’d ever grow up; his daughter wonders when he’ll get an actual job; worst of all, he’s starting to fall for the leading man’s wife.
Talking about the news, David Nicholls comments: “I’ve always had soft spot for The Understudy and was hugely excited to see it come to life on a new online stage, and with such a great team. So much is changing, at such speed and I’m full of admiration for the way it’s now being reimagined. I can’t wait.”
Part 1 of The Understudy will be released on Wednesday 20th May and Part 2 of The Understudy will be released on Wednesday 27th May. For more information, see www.understudyplay.com