The Understudy
The Understudy is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at Assembly George Square. It has 24 performances listed, running from Wed 5 Aug, 12:15 to Mon 31 Aug, 12:15. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
Exploring the anxiety-fuelled existence of an Australian swing, this one-woman catastrophe follows an understudy who's put everything on hold for her moment in the spotlight. She'll do anything for the stage... no matter the cost. Subversive, silly and unflinchingly honest, The Understudy traverses jealousy, self-righteousness and the price of ambition in a hauntingly dark comedy that turns on a dime. It's 'surreal and hilarious' (List) and 'unexpectedly moving, and sharply observed' ½ (FIFTY+SA). Winner: Weekly Award for Best Theatre (Adelaide Fringe 2026). Written and performed by Eva Seymour. Directed by Olivia Charalambous.
Details
- Venue: Assembly George Square
- Space: The Box
- Genre: THEATRE, Dark Comedy, Satire
- Country: AUSTRALIA
- Running time: 60 minutes
- Room size: about 74 seats (The Box) — the Fringe box office sells a share of the room, not all of it
- Performances listed: 24, of which 0 still to come and on sale
Accessibility
- Wheelchair access: ramp
- Access features: Step-free access, Accessible toilet
- Venue notes: Accessible entry: Cobbled area surrounding the venue Wheelchair access type:Temporary Ramp Stairs: 1 Number of stairs is provided as guidance and is not in addition to any wheelchair access type (lift/ramp etc) stated above.
What the reviewers said
We have captured 4 published reviews and 26 audience reviews for this show from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s own listing. The excerpts below are the reviewers’ words, not ours — follow each link for the full review.
The Understudy is funny and hugely entertaining, but it’s also a fascinating peek behind the glamour of an industry where simply getting the job doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve finally made it.
— It Girl World UK (4 out of 5 stars)
“You’re not really an actor without an audience.” It is a brutally dismissive, stark assessment relayed to Eva Seymour in The Understudy — and one that neatly captures the precarious position at the heart of her show.
— Rialto Arts (4 out of 5 stars)
Eva Seymour is an outstanding performer and an inventive writer.
— A Young(ish) Perspective (4 out of 5 stars)
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Wed 5 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £8.00
- Thu 6 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £8.00
- Fri 7 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £13.50
- Sat 8 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £13.50
- Sun 9 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £13.50
- Mon 10 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £13.50
- Tue 11 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £13.50
- Thu 13 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £12.00
- Fri 14 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £13.50
- Sat 15 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £13.50
- Sun 16 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £13.50
- Mon 17 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £12.00
- Wed 19 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £12.00
- Thu 20 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £12.00
- Fri 21 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £13.50
- Sat 22 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £13.50
- Sun 23 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £13.50
- Tue 25 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £12.00
- Wed 26 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £12.00
- Thu 27 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £12.00
- Fri 28 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £13.50
- Sat 29 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £13.50
- Sun 30 Aug, 12:15 — Already performed — £13.50
- Mon 31 Aug, 12:15 — Cancelled — £12.00