Rose single-handedly stopped the big musical from being cancelled
13:26, 19 Aug 2026Updated 16:26, 19 Aug 2026
Rose Mary O’Reilly form Kilcully getting a standing ovation for her incredible performance as villain Millicent Clyde(Image: rose.maryoreilly / Instagram)
It was the “craziest 24 hours” of this Cork star’s life, being called up to take on a role she had never practised just hours before curtains for a major West End musical.
But Rose Mary O’Reilly, from Kilcully near Cork city, bravely took on the challenge – learning everything under a tight deadline to keep the show from being cancelled for roughly 1,100 ticket holders on Monday night.
It all started from a freak bit of bad luck after the actress cast for Paddington the Musical’s villain Millicent Clyde, for the show’s run at the Savoy Theatre in London, went on holiday. For various reasons, all three of her understudies were unable to perform in her place. Rose was also part of the cast, and routinely covered other characters in the musical, like Judy Brown.
Rose Mary O’Reilly
Before Monday however, the actress had never practised any of the lines, songs, queues, dance moves for Millicent’s daunting role. And with just four hours to get it all down perfectly before the show started at 7pm, it was a mighty big ask to learn it all in such a short window – but Rose jumped headfirst into the challenge.
We can only imagine how nervous she was as the curtain was being raised – but reviewers say she absolutely smashed it. Audiences didn’t notice a thing as the Cork woman nailed every step and note across the show’s two hours and forty-five minute runtime. Before curtains fell, Rose was honoured with a standing ovation and was given a bouquet of flowers from fellow cast members.
Musical producers Friedman and Eliza Lumley said they are incredibly thankful to Rose for her amazing effort, adding that she “quite literally saved the show.” They said in a statement on Tuesday: “We are beyond grateful to Rose who, when it became clear that we might have to cancel last night’s performance, extraordinarily volunteered to step into Millicent Clyde’s shoes.
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“With Victoria Hamilton-Barritt on holiday abroad and, for various reasons, all three of our Millicent covers unable to perform, Rose – who was not a cover for Millicent – had just four hours yesterday afternoon to learn the entire role. She then went on completely off-book, knowing every word, every musical note, every move, and the complete character arc. What she achieved was quite simply astonishing.
“It was also an extraordinary company effort – fellow cast members, our music department, associate creatives, stage management, wardrobe, wigs, crew, sound and the SFP team all pulled together to support her and make sure the performance could go ahead.”
Rose also shared a heartfelt post on social media about Monday’s show, thanking all of her fellow cast and crew for their help in getting her ready on such short notice. She said: “The craziest 24 hours of my life, there are no words to describe how I am feeling right now. I am so overwhelmed by all the love and support I have received it means the absolute world to me.
“Playing a role like Millicent Clyde is something I have dreamed of for as long as I can remember and every night when witness @victoriahamiltonbarritt or (@jaxhughes1903, @aimeelynfisher, @kellianna_j, the amazing women who cover the role) I am just in awe of their brilliance and I look up to these incredible women everyday who have taught me so much.
“Thank you to the producers @sfpofficial and the creative team for believing in me and for even considering me to take on this role. A massive massive thank you so @ericastubbs , @tobymurray_ and @shauna_kimberley who dropped everything to get to the theatre and start rehearsals.
“I genuinely could not have done this without them, they never left my side throughout the whole night.”
She added that she has “never felt as much encouragement and love” as she did that night, and thanked the company for giving her the bravery and self-belief she needed to get on stage. Finally, she thanked her mom and dad, saying that without them “none of this would be possible.”