David Tarkenter is a rare thing - an actor who simply hasn’t stopped working. For decades he’s graced some of the country’s most iconic stages - The National, The Old Vic, The Globe - alongside theatrical heavyweights including Alan Cumming, Bertie Carvel, Daniel Radcliffe, Mark Gatiss and Johnny Flynn.

And then there’s the story that left us speechless.

In 2021, David understudied Ralph Fiennes in a one-man production starring and directed by Ralph Fiennes. He talks about the relentless preparation, the psychological pressure of covering a titan, and the moment he had to step into that spotlight alone.

In this episode, he tells us what it’s really like to understudy not only famous actors, but famous people. From stepping into the shoes of Donald Trump and Joe Biden at the Old Vic, to performing on opening night - this is high-wire acting at its most intense.

This is an episode about resilience. David shares his hard-won wisdom for actors and non-actors alike - and proves why longevity in this industry is anything but luck. And to top it all off, he has a voice like melting butter.

David Tarkenter - You’re On Tonight

Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk

Get in touch:

youreontonight@gmail.com

www.instagram.com/youreontonight

www.youtube.com/youreontonight

www.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, directed the show while it was on the road, 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 @youreontonight

TikTok @youreontonight

YouTube @youreontonight

Get 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.uk

Get in touch:

youreontonight@gmail.com

www.instagram.com/youreontonight

www.youtube.com/youreontonight

www.tiktok.com/youreontonight

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clive Marlowe is a world-record holder: he has been covering the same roles on The Mousetrap for 15 years, making him the longest-serving understudy in history and understudy royalty. This is an episode like no other.

Clive reveals incredible stories from his career, including show-stops, acting through COVID, and the terrifying moment when you’re finally told ‘you’re on tonight.’ He reflects not only on what it’s like to be thrown onstage unprepared, but how to deal with your moment being over, and what it can feel like to be perpetually waiting in the wings. Covering the same roles for so long, Clive talks as well about what it’s like when the aches and pains you’ve been performing start to become real.

Most inspiring, however, is Clive’s own personal story. In this episode he speaks honestly and beautifully about the challenges he’s overcome in his life including addiction and isolation, how socialising while in recovery can be profoundly difficult, and how, in an unstable profession, he may have found the one stable job going.

Clive Marlowe - You’re On Tonight.

To watch this episode in video format on YouTube click here: https://youtu.be/MtPnQIGxtDA

If you enjoyed the show, you can follow us at:

Instagram @youreontonight

TikTok @youreontonight

YouTube @youreontonight

Get in contact at: youreontonight@gmail.com

Hosted by Liam Horrigan & Kara Alberts-Turner

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.

*Trigger warning* - This episode contains themes of addiction and recovery.

If you'd like to know more, head to the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/drug-addiction-getting-help/

For Resolve: https://www.resolve.org.uk/

Produced by The Sound Company. www.sound.co.uk

Get in touch:

youreontonight@gmail.com

www.instagram.com/youreontonight

www.youtube.com/youreontonight

www.tiktok.com/youreontonight

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.