Tony Geappen has been a regular presence in commercial musical theatre for 50 years. A reliable character actor, blessed with a strong tenor voice, he has regularly been understudy to our great Musical theatre actors - and gone on 'in the role' many a time.

Commencing a career in his youth, he was a child actor who performed on radio and in pantomime. A stint in London furthered performance opportunities and allowed him to work alongside headliner names like Ray Milland, Veronica Lake and Winifred Atwell.

Tony was employed regularly because he was - reliable, prepared, professional and passionate about the business, He has appeared in an extraordinary number of musicals.

These include FADE OUT FADE IN, SHOW BOAT, ANYTHING GOES, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, SWEENEY TODD, SCROOGE, THE WIZARD OF OZ, ME & MY GIRL, EVITA and APPLAUSE - just to name a few.

That's a lot of nights at the theatre and years spent touring - but it's also makes for a lot of fascinating anecdotes.

STAGES could not let a chance go by, without talking, to the charming Tony Geappen.