Understudy steals show as Chess star rushes to birth
A STAR was born in dramatic fashion at the opening night of the revival of musical Chess.
When the leading man had to rush off as his wife went into labour, his understudy was left to step in. And luckily he brought the house down.
Tim Howar, who plays chess champion Freddie Trumper, disappeared to join wife Jodie Oliver in hospital. She later gave birth to a boy Hamish.
This left directors with no choice but to put forward Tim’s understudy Cellen Chugg Jones, who had never completed a full rehearsal.
However, Cellen won a standing
SHOULD THE LEADINg mAN HAvE LEfT THE STAgE TO JOIN HIS wIfE IN HOSPITAL?
YOUR wife giving birth is one of those ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ events.
I think it is great he rushed off as that is what understudies are for. It also gives them a chance in the limelight – and is a great way for an actor to get noticed.
Everyone is a winner because the leading man has got more publicity and it has helped further his career. For the understudy, stepping in ovation and “smashed it” according to co-star Alexandra Burke, with audience members claiming he even outshone veteran co-star Michael Ball.
Cellen said the last-minute JOHN PLEWS at the last minute can make you a star in your own right.
Once the show is established he can go on again with even more confidence and maybe he will have the lead role again one day. performance surreal”.
One audience member at the show, which opened at the London Coliseum on Thursday, said: “The interval went on and on and everyone began to wonder what was happening.
“Then the director came to the stage and explained the leading star had to leave as his wife had gone into labour.
“There was an audible gasp from everyone in the audience.
“He explained that the standin, Cellen Chugg Jones, had not done a proper rehearsal of the role but the show must go on.
“He absolutely took to it like a natural and you would never have guessed it was his first was “completely AS ever, I think a balanced perspective is important, especially in a case like this when it comes to playing the role you have spent months rehearsing for and dropping it all to rush off to hospital.
I am quite sure the new baby would not have arrived before the musical came to a close.
This is because the very earliest stages of labour are night on stage, not having done proper rehearsals.”
On Twitter Michael Ball said: “Proper showbiz drama on our first night – Cellen a total hero going on for Tim Howar at the interval and smashing it.
“Awesome reaction from the audience to our show. This is going to be fun.”
And Cellen tweeted: “An insane night. Amazing audience. Love to my cast and creatives who I wouldn’t be anywhere without. But mostly to the most incredible man to understudy Tim Howar.”
The musical was created by Abba masterminds Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, with lyrics by Sir Tim Rice. ANN WIDDECOMBE not normally particularly quick.
But in this particular case, it is clear to me that the man, or expectant father, is probably more useful on the stage than in the middle of the labour ward.