Thursday 9 July 2015

VOTE: Understudy of the Year 2015

Voting is now open for West End Frame's Understudy of the Year Award 2015!

Voting opened on Thursday 9th July at 1pm and will close at 3pm on Wednesday 12th August.

The award is a celebration of standbys, alternates and understudies, without whom the West End wouldn't be able to function. Due to public demand, this year for the first time ever 3 understudies/alternates/standbys from UK touring productions have been nominated alongside 25 West End understudies/alternates/standbys.

'Follow' us on Twitter and Instagram and 'Like' us on Facebook for exclusive updates during the voting period and to be the first to find out when the result is announced on Friday 14th August. The result can be previewed until Tuesday 28th July.

Unlike other theatre awards, West End Frame only opens voting for one category at a time and combines male and female actors from new and long-running productions into the same categories (where applicable). 

Last year’s Understudy of the Year Award was won by Carolyn Maitland for understudying Ellen in Miss Saigon. Previous winners also include: Ashley Day (understudy Elder Price/The Book of Mormon) and Katy Treharne (alternate Christine/The Phantom of the Opera). 

The 2015 West End Frame Awards began in March with Sunny Afternoon being named Most Inspiring West End Show and in May John Dagleish won Best Performance of a Song for his rendition of ‘Waterloo Sunset’ in Sunny Afternoon. 

Vote below! Please note our system only allows one vote per IP address. Multiple votes from the same IP address will not be counted. We would like to stress that, as thousands of votes have been counted, even nominees with lower percentages have received hundreds of votes. Understudy of the Year is about celebrating all understudies/alternates/standbys in the industry - they do an incredible job. Thank you for your support!
VOTING IS NOW CLOSED
The result will be announced on Friday 14th August 2015

 Please email any questions about this award to contact@westendframe.com. Voting must close at 3pm on Wednesday 12th August 2015. Please note our system only allows one vote per IP address. Multiple votes from the same IP address will not be counted.

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61 comments:

  1. Ellie9 July 2015 at 18:15:00 BST

    When I saw Wicked Jacqueline Hughes took over in the interval and I couldn't believe it! She has to win!

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  2. Unknown9 July 2015 at 22:20:00 BST

    Zoe Birkett for her role as Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard. I was absolutely blown away by her vocals and acting. The best show I have ever seen, so many good reviews. Stunning performance from Zoe, she deserves to win this!

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  3. Anonymous9 July 2015 at 23:26:00 BST

    Jacqueline is insanely good, the perfect blend of powerhouse and heartbreaking emotion. I really hope she gets it!

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  4. Anonymous10 July 2015 at 09:41:00 BST

    Adam Bayjou.

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  5. Anonymous10 July 2015 at 13:47:00 BST

    Gotta be Ollie Savile...

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  6. Anonymous10 July 2015 at 21:40:00 BST

    Jackie Hughes 150% - insanely talented!!

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  7. Chicken lover10 July 2015 at 21:43:00 BST

    Zoe Birkett was amazing !

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    1. Unknown10 July 2015 at 23:11:00 BST

      She really is so good at playing Rachel Marron, so talented. She deserves this award.

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    2. Unknown15 July 2015 at 23:59:00 BST

      Yes :) love another Zoe supporter 👍

      Delete
  8. Bob P11 July 2015 at 07:56:00 BST

    Joanna Woodward was superb as Carole King in 'Beautiful'; So good, in fact, we want to go back and see the show again, but specifically when SHE takes the lead!

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  9. Anonymous11 July 2015 at 08:12:00 BST

    I am sure everyone is extremely talented - but how can you compare an alternate, who has at least two performances a week to an understudy who has no idea when they will have to step up and is therefore much less rehearsed?

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  10. Unknown11 July 2015 at 09:06:00 BST

    Not true at all, that doesn't mean someone is less rehearsed. Our girl (Zoe) works so hard and gives 100% every time she is on that stage. She deserves this so much!

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  11. Anonymous11 July 2015 at 12:29:00 BST

    Not sure what you're saying. I am saying the understudy is less rehearsed as they do not have guaranteed performances - they have to concentrate on getting their principal part nailed first.

    An understudy and an alternate are very different things, both hugely talented individuals, but in my view they cannot be compared. Two different categories perhaps?

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  12. Anonymous13 July 2015 at 09:11:00 BST

    Wicked will always win as they have a huge fan base that vote regardless - shame as many of the others are so deserving as well.

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    1. Anonymous13 July 2015 at 10:55:00 BST

      Wicked has never won before!

      Last year’s Understudy of the Year Award was won by Carolyn Maitland for understudying Ellen in Miss Saigon. Previous winners also include: Ashley Day (understudy Elder Price/The Book of Mormon) and Katy Treharne (alternate Christine/The Phantom of the Opera).

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    2. Anonymous13 July 2015 at 13:26:00 BST

      If that was the case all of the Wicked nominees would be in the lead.. which they clearly are not. Jackie is very much in keeping with the spirit of this award. She's worked her way up from ensemble, swing, second cover Elphaba to now being Standby Elphaba in the UK Tour. I can't think of anyone more deserving.

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    3. Anonymous16 July 2015 at 15:35:00 BST

      Wicked themselves have not mentioned the award.

      The Bodyguard's official Twitter has, that puts Wicked at a disadvantage right from the start. Throw in Alexandra Burke urging her fan base to vote too...

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    4. Unknown17 July 2015 at 16:49:00 BST

      Wicked can if they wanted to, no one is stopping them. So how is it unfair? Don't think it is and Alexandra is just supporting her friend like other cast members of wicked are doing, just the same!

      Delete
    5. Anonymous20 July 2015 at 10:51:00 BST

      Get off your high horse Jenny W!

      Delete
  13. Anonymous13 July 2015 at 10:03:00 BST

    seen zoe bickett in #bodyguard it was terrific first time I have seen her and was in awe of her talent

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    1. Unknown13 July 2015 at 15:19:00 BST

      Love your comment. She is so talented, I've seen her In a number of shows and she always puts 100% in to every single one.

      Delete
  14. Unknown13 July 2015 at 15:21:00 BST

    Zoe Birkett has worked her way up from pop idol and she deserves this award so much and all of us will fight for her till the very end. We aren't going anywhere.

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  15. Anonymous13 July 2015 at 16:45:00 BST

    Gabby Brooks, she absolutely blew me away, she's so young and especially in the shadow of the amazing Alexia Khadime she most definitely held her own. Extremely extremely deserving! Didn't even know she was an understudy until I looked in the program and was utterly shocked.

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  16. Anonymous13 July 2015 at 18:52:00 BST

    Jacqueline Hughes is amazing in the Wicked tour! I have seen her twice now and she totally deserves to win this award!

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  17. Anonymous14 July 2015 at 10:24:00 BST

    Jackie Hughes hands down! She's worked her ass off to get where she is. This girl has raw talent. She's also been performing most shows in Salford as Ashleigh Gray hasn't been too well. I cannot this of anyone more deserving of this award than her!

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  18. Anonymous14 July 2015 at 11:44:00 BST

    Saw Adam Bayjou perform last night as Jean Valjean - he was brilliant. He has form as an understudy earlier this year too, in Sondheim's Assassins at Menier Chocolate Factory, and was excellent there too. If you haven't seen him sing as Valjean would strongly recommend you do! Pete.

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  19. Anonymous14 July 2015 at 13:28:00 BST

    Jacqui Hughes to win, started in Wicked as a Swing and has worked her way up. Could easily be the London lead, she is that good.

    Best Elphaba for years.

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  20. Unknown15 July 2015 at 19:33:00 BST

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  21. Anonymous15 July 2015 at 19:34:00 BST

    Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes

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    1. Anonymous15 July 2015 at 23:58:00 BST

      How many times! Think once is enough!

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    2. Anonymous17 July 2015 at 09:23:00 BST

      Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes Jacqueline Hughes

      Delete
  22. Anonymous15 July 2015 at 19:48:00 BST

    We were lucky enough to see Natalie Andreou in Wicked whilst on a trip to London. Her portrayal of Elphaba was simply stunning - you could see that she puts her every inch of her soul into playing the part. An incredible talent and one to watch!

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  23. Anonymous16 July 2015 at 08:11:00 BST

    Jackie Hughes without a shadow of a doubt!

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  24. Unknown16 July 2015 at 20:52:00 BST

    Zoe birkett she was a amazing Rachel in the bodyguard!! Her talent is incredible

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    1. Unknown16 July 2015 at 21:15:00 BST

      👍 she really is so talented and deserves this so much. We need all the votes we can.

      Delete
  25. Anonymous17 July 2015 at 09:23:00 BST

    Jacqueline Hughes! She was amazing when I saw her as Elphaba!

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  26. Anonymous17 July 2015 at 19:58:00 BST

    Shouldn't this be taken more seriously? There should be a panel that sees ALL the understudy performances and then vote. It's currently a comp for fans. And the obsession is laughable.

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  27. Anonymous17 July 2015 at 20:37:00 BST

    Jacqueline Hughes her performance as Elphaba was absolutely amazing you felt every word the emotion and power in her voice was outstanding best show I'v ever seen.

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  28. Anonymous18 July 2015 at 17:23:00 BST

    Indeed...obsession for one performer to win. Saturating this feed. Go and see other understudies and understand there are equally impressive understudy performances.... other than the talented outstanding Jacqueline Hughes..... but you won't know know that until you see them!

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    1. Anonymous28 July 2015 at 20:54:00 BST

      Who says that people haven't seen them? Assumptions are a wonderful thing...

      Delete
  29. Anonymous20 July 2015 at 10:53:00 BST

    Jacqueline was fabulous when I saw her in Liverpool. Didn't know she was Standby until I looked in my programme. Was blown away!

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  30. Disco Soul Gold27 July 2015 at 12:54:00 BST

    Zoe Birkettwo best of luck. You deserve to win

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  31. Anonymous27 July 2015 at 15:22:00 BST

    Jackie Hughes pulled out the best Fiyero riff I have ever heard/witnessed.The pipes on this girl are absolutely phenomenal. She deserves this more than anyone!!

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  32. Anonymous27 July 2015 at 15:49:00 BST

    Jacqueline Hughes gave outstanding performances. Vocals and acting were amazing. Took our breath away! Well done Jacq's xxx

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  33. Daniel White28 July 2015 at 11:59:00 BST

    It has to be Adam Bayjou, awesome performer

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  34. Anonimo2 August 2015 at 06:10:00 BST

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  35. Anonimo2 August 2015 at 06:11:00 BST

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  36. Anonymous4 August 2015 at 09:51:00 BST

    Refreshing and inspiring performance by Zoe Birkett.

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  37. Emilia6 August 2015 at 10:31:00 BST

    Zoe was amazing!!

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  38. Anonymous10 August 2015 at 08:29:00 BST

    Jacqueline Hughes was fantastic when I saw her in Wicked. Incredible talent and so lovely at stage door too. My vote definitely goes to her. Hope she wins!

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  39. Odd - Izzy10 August 2015 at 17:20:00 BST

    Saw POTO on Saturday night - was honestly amazed when I found out that the actor playing Raoul was the understudy! Oliver Savile was the standout performer for me!

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  40. francis2511 August 2015 at 15:20:00 BST

    wow Zoe Birkett is an ammazing extremely talented young lady. Her vocals are incredable and she was the most perfect tribute to a very speacial lady. Zoe Birkett is the best under study ever and she will go far

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    1. Anonymous11 August 2015 at 15:37:00 BST

      Wouldn't say best understudy ever... she wants it so bad it's actually quite embarrassing how much she's 'begging' for votes.

      Delete
  41. Denise11 August 2015 at 15:54:00 BST

    Zoe is fab,so very talented,vocals are just brilliant

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  42. Anonymous11 August 2015 at 21:11:00 BST

    Sophie Linder-Lee all the way for me, I never thought anyone could be as good as Savannah Stevenson but when she was out with a broken foot I thought Sophie was stunning.

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    1. Anonymous12 August 2015 at 12:48:00 BST

      I don't like Savannah's Glinda at all - Sophie is much better!!

      Delete
  43. Anonymous12 August 2015 at 03:00:00 BST

    I saw Alex Tomkins playing Deco in The Commitments the night he broke his hand on stage. For that alone he'd get my vote. But he also has an exceptional voice.

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  44. Unknown12 August 2015 at 14:08:00 BST

    Sophie was outstanding in Wicked...Sophie to win! 💚

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