Val Javin: Theatre: Understudy takes on star role in Full Body and the Voice show in Huddersfield
Oct 22 2010 by Val Javin, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
THE understudy is often one of those unsung characters in theatre.
If all goes well with the show, they may never have to play the role they have been shadowing.
But the job of knowing another actor’s role so well that should it be necessary, you can step into their shoes, is a tough one.
For Full Body and The Voice actor James Munton, 24, from Wakefield, that moment has come.
Earlier this year, the company, which does pioneering work with learning disabled actors, premiered its new production Hypothermia at its home theatre, the Lawrence Batley in Huddersfield.
It was without doubt one of the most challenging, most moving nights I’ve spent in a theatre for a while. And it was a resounding success for Ben Langford playing the pivotal role of Oskar, one of the patients in a hospital for hereditary and incurable diseases in Nazi Germany of the 1940s, the harrowing setting in which Hypothermia takes place.
Full Body and The Voice has been back in rehearsal for a national tour of the piece, which is by writer and director Vanessa Brooks.
But sadly for Ben, he has not been well over the summer and will be unable to tour.
At just a week’s notice, his understudy James started rehearsals to take on the biggest challenge of his acting career.
James has trained with Full Body and the Voice for two years and won Student of the Year 2010.
He is talented and super fit. He runs regularly and lifts weights – his drive and commitment is inspired by his two brothers who are in the Army.
James has wished Ben well and hopes he will soon be feeling better. But he is delighted to be stepping up to the challenge of playing a leading role. He has all the enthusiasm you’d expect of a young actor whose moment in the spotlight has come. But he has much more.
“I knew Ben wasn’t well and all the actors were concerned for him as the tour was coming up,” said James.
“I was called into the office and told Ben wasn’t fit for it and then was asked if I was ready to play Oskar. I practically jumped out of my seat.
“Ben’s a great actor but we’re a team just like a football team here at FB&TV and if one player is sick then another player goes on for them… I’m gonna do him and the company proud!”
Ben, 34, has been an actor with Full Body and The Voice for over 10 years and has featured in many regional and international tours.
The company say it was clear over the summer that a stubborn ear infection wasn’t clearing up.
Ben said: “It was making me feel dizzy and sick and I knew touring feeling so ill wasn’t a good idea.”
Ben lives in Honley with his 11 brothers and sisters, many adopted and many with learning disabilities and his career as a professional actor is central to his life.
He is determined to get himself fit and cheer James on in the role.
“James is a good actor and I wish him luck and have told him to do his best for all of us,” said Ben.
“I still wish it was me doing it of course but I’m not going to poison his tea!”
Also new to the remaining cast of four non-disabled actors is Daniel Hoffmann-Gill who is playing the role of Dr Erich and is developing a very different performance from that delivered by Bradley Cole in the original production.
The national tour begins in Huddersfield with performances today and tomorrow at the studio theatre at Huddersfield University before moving on to Peepuls Place, Leicester, the Cockpit Theatre, London, Hull Truck’s space in Hull and the Dukes in Lancaster.
For those of us who saw this remarkable show earlier in the year, it is great news to hear that so many others will get to see a piece of theatre which does what drama should do. Challenge perceptions, make us pause and examine those things that make us all different – but which, if we are truly thinking human beings, should bind us all together.
