Many a theatrical career has been rocketed to stardom by being in the understudy's shoes on the right day.
Will it happen for David Anthony, who had to step in for Tommy Steele as the eponymous Doctor, when the pop legend cried off in pain after some root canal work a couple of days earlier?
Having chosen to see the show specifically to see how one of my teenage idols had weathered the years, I was deeply disappointed not to see him.
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But Anthony was word and note perfect and relaxed into the role as if he had been playing it for weeks. No one could complain they didn't get their money's worth.
Dr Dolittle, Bristol Hippodrome
Anthony has had a long career in stage musicals but his most recent claim to fame is as Jamie Oliver's Flavour Shaker man in the television advertisement.
Aiden Crowley was promoted in turn to fill Anthony's place as circus owner Alfred Blossom, a switch which was also clearly well rehearsed.
It is a feel-good show with a fairly inconsequential storyline, but lots of amazingly realistic animals on stage.
They are the stars. You wanted to reach out and stroke them, particularly the glorious, silky Pushmi-Pullyu - a double headed llama. James Deverell was remarkably believable, and endearing, as the doctor's dog Jip and Debden Clarke was great as the perky parrot Polynesia.
There is also a phenomenal Great Pink Sea Snail.
It is a colourful spectacle with a couple of memorable songs and is great family show. It runs in Bristol until Saturday.
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