West End theatre jobs involve hundreds of people working behind the scenes to deliver the show you see on stage. The performers get the applause, but the stage managers, crew, technicians, wardrobe team, and front-of-house staff are the ones who make eight shows a week actually happen. This guide explains the main roles in a West End production, written for curious audience members who want to understand who does what when the lights go down.

West End theatre jobs explained simply: that is what this guide is for. When you sit in the auditorium watching a show, you are seeing the work of performers. But behind and around them, dozens of other people are working in roles that most audience members know nothing about. Every show has a small army of professionals who ensure the curtain goes up on time, the lights hit the right spot, the costumes fit, and the audience is looked after.

Here is who they are, explained for anyone who has enjoyed London theatre tickets and wondered what goes on beyond what you can see.

What does a stage manager do?

The stage manager (SM) is the person who runs the show once it is open. During rehearsals, they coordinate the schedule, take notes, and manage communication between the director, cast, and technical teams. Once the show opens and the director leaves, the stage manager is in charge.

During a performance, the stage manager sits in a booth (usually at the back of the auditorium or in the wings) and "calls" the show. This means they give every technical cue: when the lights change, when the sound effects play, when the set moves, when the curtain rises and falls. They follow the script with precise timing, coordinating dozens of cues per act.

The stage manager also manages cast issues: who is performing, who is off, which understudy or swing is going on. For long-running shows like The Lion King tickets at the Lyceum Theatre or Les Miserables tickets at the Sondheim Theatre, this is a complex daily puzzle.

What is the difference between an understudy and a swing?

This is one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of West End theatre.

An understudy is a member of the regular cast who learns one or more other roles in addition to their own. If the lead performer is unavailable, the understudy steps into that role. This means an understudy might be performing their ensemble role on Monday and the lead role on Tuesday. They are fully rehearsed in both.

A swing is a performer who is not in the show on a regular basis but covers multiple ensemble roles. They do not have their own track (a specific part they perform every night). Instead, they are called in when any ensemble member is unavailable. A swing might need to know five or six different roles, each with different staging, choreography, and costume changes.

Swings are among the most skilled performers in a company. Learning multiple tracks and being ready to go on at short notice requires extraordinary preparation.

An alternate is different again. This is a performer who is scheduled to play a specific role on certain performances, sharing the part with another actor. Both are the "official" performer for their designated shows.

Seeing an understudy or swing perform is not a lesser experience. These performers are talented professionals who have rehearsed extensively.

What does the backstage crew do during a show?

The backstage crew handles everything that moves, flies, or changes during a performance.

Fly crew operate the flying system that raises and lowers set pieces, backdrops, and sometimes performers. For shows with flying sequences like Wicked tickets at the Apollo Victoria, the fly crew are responsible for safely moving performers through the air on every performance.

Stage crew move set pieces, furniture, and props during scene changes. In shows with complex revolving stages like Hamilton tickets at the Victoria Palace Theatre, the crew operate the mechanical elements that keep the turntable moving.

Sound technicians monitor and adjust the audio mix throughout the performance. Every microphone, speaker, and sound effect is managed in real time from a mixing desk, usually positioned at the back of the auditorium.

Lighting technicians operate the lighting desk, following the stage manager's cues to execute hundreds of lighting changes per show. They also maintain the lights and replace lamps.

What does the wardrobe department do?

The wardrobe team maintains, repairs, and manages every costume in the production. For a big musical with 30+ performers and multiple costume changes, this means looking after hundreds of individual garments.

Before each show, the wardrobe team checks every costume, makes repairs, and ensures each performer's costumes are set in the correct order for their quick changes. During the show, dressers (a specific wardrobe role) assist performers with fast costume changes backstage, sometimes completing a full change in under 30 seconds.

Costumes are cleaned on a rotation and replaced when they wear out. A costume for a long-running show might be rebuilt several times over the run.

What are the front-of-house roles?

Front-of-house (FOH) covers everything on the audience side of the theatre.

Box office staff sell tickets, handle exchanges, and answer queries. They are the first point of contact for most audience members.

Ushers (also called stewards) show you to your seat, sell programmes and merchandise, manage the auditorium during the performance, and handle any issues. They are trained in first aid and evacuation procedures.

Bar staff serve drinks before, during, and after the show. The interval bar rush is one of the most intense 15 minutes in hospitality.

The house manager runs the front-of-house operation. They make the decision about when to open the doors, when to admit latecomers, and how to handle any audience issues during the show.

How many people work on a West End show?

A typical large-scale musical employs 30-40 performers, a band of 10-15 musicians, a stage management team of 3-4, a backstage crew of 15-25, a wardrobe team of 5-10, and a front-of-house team of 20-30. That is roughly 100-125 people working on a single show every performance.

Smaller productions (plays, small-cast musicals) employ fewer people, but even a modest West End show requires a team of 40-50.

For more on the economics of running a show, see where West End ticket money goes. And for how a show comes together in the first place, check how a West End show gets made. Book your tickets through London theatre tickets and explore London for more.

FAQs

What is the difference between an understudy and a swing?

An understudy is a regular cast member who learns additional roles and steps in when the usual performer is unavailable. A swing is not in the show regularly but covers multiple ensemble roles, going on whenever any ensemble member is absent. Swings may need to know five or six different parts.

What does a stage manager do in a West End show?

The stage manager runs the show during performances, calling every technical cue for lighting, sound, and set changes. They also manage the daily cast schedule, coordinate understudies and swings, and maintain the show's quality after the director leaves.

How many people work on a West End show?

A large musical typically employs 100-125 people per performance, including 30-40 performers, 10-15 musicians, 15-25 backstage crew, 5-10 wardrobe staff, and 20-30 front-of-house team. Smaller productions have correspondingly smaller teams.

Is it bad if an understudy performs?

No. Understudies are talented professionals who have rehearsed extensively. Many understudies go on to become lead performers. Seeing an understudy can be a highlight, as they bring fresh energy and their own interpretation to the role.

What do ushers do at a West End theatre?

Ushers show you to your seat, sell programmes and merchandise, manage the auditorium during the show, and handle any audience issues. They are trained in first aid and evacuation procedures. They are the front-line staff you interact with most during your visit.

Know Before You Go

• The stage manager runs the show during performances, calling every technical cue

• An understudy covers specific roles; a swing covers multiple ensemble roles

• Seeing an understudy or swing is not a lesser experience; they are fully rehearsed professionals

• The backstage crew handle set changes, flying, sound, and lighting in real time

• The wardrobe team manages hundreds of costumes and assists with fast changes backstage

• Front-of-house includes box office, ushers, bar staff, and the house manager

• A large West End musical employs roughly 100-125 people per performance