is this normal practice - am dram production

[sophiesocks]

I was just wondering if this was a normal thing to do, my children have taken part in several am dram productions and have never come across tis and i am not entirely comfortable with it and wondered if it was just me.

My son has been offered understudy for the lead role in a production as well as an ensemble role, which is fine in itself, however the company don't seem to be able to make their minds up about what they are doing. one person told me my son wold definitely get to play the lead in 1 show, another person said this was by no means guaranteed, while this is a little confusing, my main concern is that i have been told the role of the understudy is to 'keep the main part on their toes' and that if the main part doesn't work hard enough or misses rehearsals the under study will and main part will switch and the under study will become the lead. this seems really strange and potentially very stressful for both boys involved with neither knowing which pat they will end up playing and one child ultimately upset. one of the things i love about the kids being in productions is the teamwork and camaraderie, however i can't help feeling that this will be undermined if the kids are constantly watching their backs and being concerned that their understudy will take their part while the understudies are getting their hopes built up that they may get a chance to play the lead. i have tried getting clarification as to how this will work in practice and when the decisions would be made but so far haven't heard much back.

so my question is, is it normal for the company not to decide who is playing what part until after they have started rehearsals and resere the right to change whenever they feel like it?

[eleanorrigby66]

If he's the understudy I would have thought he would only be playing that part if the other boy is unwell on show night. Who was the person who said he'd definitely go on - was that someone in a high position?

[sophiesocks]

It was the secretary, but we've also been told they might switch them if the understudy works harder than the lead.

[pg]

I think this is a silly way to organise an amateur drama (or any) production - for all the reasons you have outlined. I think they are storing up trouble for themselves with the potential for bad feeling and insecurity.

If they are uncertain about the work ethic of the principal performer then that person shouldn't have been cast in the first place.

Daft, in my opinion - and on the face of it suggests inexperience amongst the organisers.