Eva Seymour on the comedy of waiting in the wings | Melbourne International Comedy Festival | The Motley Wherehaus

Eva Seymour’s The Understudy shines a hilarious and unflinching light on the backstage world, as we follow an understudy juggling nerves, endless preparation, and the strange suspense of being ready to step in at a moment’s notice. We spoke to Seymour about crafting this performance, laughing through the mayhem, and how the show resonates far beyond the stage.

The Understudy centres on the long wait that comes with being on call, unfolding into a deeper dive of what it means to be an actor, largely defined by job insecurity and the shifting demands of the industry. "Writing a show about understudying made me realise it’s a microcosm of the actor’s life," Seymour explains. "Waiting for the call as an offstage cover puts you at the whim of many things beyond your control, and you have to do mental gymnastics just to manage the anxiety. Actors are constantly doing that, whether they admit it or not. You can follow every rule, make every 'right' choice, and still not be where you want to be. That uncertainty, the missed opportunities, and the sacrifices it requires - sometimes it strains relationships, makes you question yourself, and reminds you how much of your life gets put on hold for work you may never even do."

Despite the seriousness of its underlying purpose, Seymour uncovers plenty of comedy from the anticipation, rituals, hope, and absurd sense of preparedness. "I don't like taking anything too seriously. It's a surreal position to find yourself in: standing by to be told at any time you're going onstage," she says. "I always knew I wanted to write a comedy. I'm generally allergic to sentimentality, so in striving to be unflinchingly honest about this experience, I didn't want to let anyone off the hook. We can feel sorry for The Understudy but we can also laugh at her. Whenever the audience starts to feel bad for her, I pull the rug out with a comedic beat. I felt the humour needed to live in the situations where it could otherwise turn into a drama."

Seymour teamed up with Olivia Charalambous for The Understudy, whose guidance helped her uncover what she was truly trying to express. "Liv is the kind of director who makes you look good. She let me guide the show with my own instincts, shape it how I wanted, and gave me the most creative licence I’ve had as an actor," she tells me. "She allowed me to live in it, try silly jokes, and riff with me until we found the sweet spot. There were moments while writing where I questioned if certain parts belonged but Liv fought for those, stressing the importance of showing the complexity of working as a gigging actor. I’m so glad we kept it all as we’re offering an authentic glimpse of chaos, not streamlining or dumbing down for a neat story."

Seymour performed her show at last year’s Melbourne Fringe Festival to sold-out audiences and positive feedback, confirming that her sharp wit and distinct perspective had struck a chord with viewers. "I wasn't sure if the elements of psychological horror would land, or if the twist would be clear. When it was evident that people got it, I was wrapped! It's an incredibly gratifying feeling knowing the stuff that existed in your head actually translates to the stage. Some of the stupid little jokes I put in that I doubted, received the biggest reactions. I realised that you don't know what people will connect with until you try it out - humour is so subjective, you can't predict what might tickle someone."

Though centred on the dreams of an understudy, with echoes of the broader performer’s experience, The Understudy has connected with anyone chasing a dream. "It's a human affliction to reflect on your decisions and what you could've done differently. There's no doubt I've spent many a night in bed wondering if my career would be different if I changed one thing," Seymour reflects. "Looking for ways to blame myself for not being where I wish I was. But I don't think that's specific to acting. Anyone who's strived for success and not ended up where they'd hoped they'd be is going to wonder what they could have done to change their circumstances." 

A witty, poignant, and unique exploration of ambition, vulnerability, and the relentless pursuit of passion, The Understudy serves up laughs, surprises, and humour. It's a must-see at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival for anyone who’s ever reached for the stars.

 

MICF QUICKFIRE FIVE

1. The most memorable audience reaction I've ever received is a lady asking if I knew her niece who was in The Dry, after seeing me perform a show in which I lamented not having more commercial acting success.
2. A totally absurd award I’d win if it existed is best standby/alternate.
3. The worst thing I have ever eaten is the lasagne I'm always too impatient to defrost properly.
4. One backstage ritual that makes me feel ready to get on stage is panicking.
5. If I could swap places with another performer for a day, it would be Ash Flanders because I need to know what that acerbic wit feels like from within.

 

SHOW DETAILS

Venue: The Motley Wherehaus, 432 Queen St, Melbourne
Season: 13 - 19 April | 6:15pm

Duration: 50 minutes
Tickets: $34 Full | $29 Conc
 and Tightarse Tuesday
Bookings: Melbourne International Comedy Festival