North Shore’s Manon Gunderson-Briggs Swings into Action for Anastasia the Musical

In musical theatre, there is a performer audiences rarely notice – yet without them, the show could not go on. Known as a “swing,” the role requires stepping into multiple parts at a moment’s notice.

For North Shore performer Manon Gunderson-Briggs, (pictured below) that unpredictability is all part of the job as she joins the cast of Anastasia.

Manon grew up in Northbridge, where she attended Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School before studying at St Andrew’s Cathedral School.

Through their strong arts programmes, she discovered musical theatre, performing in productions of Les Misérables and Beauty and the Beast.

Holding a Bachelor of Music in musical theatre from the Australian Institute of Music and a Diploma of Musical Theatre from NIDA, Manon believes learning something new and improving one’s craft is always valuable. “There are many opportunities around the North Shore – great amateur theatre companies and excellent teachers,” she says. “Know that what’s meant for you will not pass you by.”

She has since performed in productions ranging from independent shows at Hayes Theatre Company, most recently Phar Lap: The Electro Swing Musical, to larger productions including Come From Away and Shrek The Musical.

Manon recalls receiving the call to step into the lead role of Anya in Anastasia while out on a run–she is also a triathlete. “It’s any performer’s dream to play that part. I was incredibly excited.”

In Anastasia, Manon is a swing, covering multiple characters throughout the production. “I’m essentially there if anything goes wrong,” she says. At any performance, she may be called on to cover a role at short notice, a responsibility she says comes with unique challenges. “You might have had a rehearsal, or you might not – you just have to make it work.”

The role’s unpredictability is why Manon has learned to become “friends with uncertainty.” “Learning to be at peace with what you can control and what you can’t,” she says. Roles such as Manon’s reflect the meticulous planning behind productions like Anastasia, ensuring the show can always continue. “That’s part of the magic of theatre,” she says.

Anastasia opens April 7 at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. Featuring iconic songs such as “Journey to the Past” and “Once Upon a December,” audiences can expect a visually stunning production, dazzling costumes, and standout performances from its talented cast.

Keep an eye out – you never know where the North Shore local might appear.