Lee Mack to star in ‘The Understudy’ at the Palace Theatre

The semi-staged production is in the West End for two nights only.

Although Stephen Fry was originally confirmed to star in The Understudy, a last-minute casting change has been announced. Lee Mack will now take over Fry's part, with performances at the Palace Theatre for two nights from 7 December.

Lee Mack will play the role of The Miser in Henry Filloux-Bennett's play, staged virtually earlier this year. He'll join a cast including Adelayo Adedayo, Mina Anwar, Emily Atack, Lucy Briggs-Owen, Natalie Casey, Jake Ferretti, Sasha Frost, Matthew Horne, Marie Lawrence, James McNicolas, Lizzie Muncey and James Norton.

A leading British comedian, Mack is perhaps best known as a team captain on Would I Lie To You? opposite Upstart Crow's David Mitchell. He's also written and starred in his own sitcom, Not Going Out, as well as appearing on British comedy panel shows.

Based on David Nicholls' 2005 novel, The Understudy follows Stephen, a budding actor who finally gets to star in a West End show — as an understudy. As he continues in the role, he questions the nature of the industry, deciding whether to change.

Performances of The Understudy will be raising money for a variety of acting charities: Acting For Others, the Equity Charitable Trust and the Theatre Development Trust, run by the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre.

The Understudy is at the Palace Theatre from 7-8 December.

^{Photo credit: Lee Mack (Photo courtesy of Avalon)}