By Ali Pavic
Being the understudy means always being ready, rarely being seen. In Eva Seymour as The Understudy at Adelaide Fringe, Eva Seymour brings that experience to life in a sharply observed and unexpectedly moving one-woman performance.
Performed at the intimate The Warehouse Theatre, this 45-minute piece opens with optimism. Seymour’s understudy is upbeat, committed, and grateful for her chance. But as she navigates conversations with castmates, a boyfriend, and the wider industry, that confidence begins to shift.
A particularly sharp moment comes when she is told that to move beyond understudying, she should create her own show. The irony lands neatly, giving the piece a clever, self-aware edge.
Seymour inhabits multiple characters with subtle changes in voice and posture, bringing her world to life without elaborate staging. While the transitions are rapid, the emotional journey remains clear and engaging.
As the tone darkens, subtle audio elements hint at the growing strain between ambition and reality. The comedy gives way to something more reflective, and the show captures the quiet tension of chasing a dream while managing the rest of life.
Beyond the theatre world, the themes resonate universally. It is a story about the cost of ambition, the love of creative work, and the sacrifices made in pursuit of recognition.
The intimate venue enhances the experience, giving the performance a warmth and immediacy that draws you in. Despite facing a venue change and a cancelled performance earlier in the week, Seymour’s delivery feels polished, confident, and engaging from start to finish.
Quietly funny, unexpectedly moving, and sharply observed, Eva Seymour as The Understudy is a Fringe hidden gem well worth seeing.
Rating: 4.5 stars!
For tickets and more information on Eva Seymour as ‘The Understudy’, visit: adelaidefringe.com.au
