3,940 posts
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Post by Dawnstar on Jan 28, 2022 15:27:31 GMT
There doesn't seem to be a single non-white face amongst the dozen amateurs they're recruited in Cornwall. I would imagine use of amateurs is actually counter-productive if you're concerned about diversity of casting because the volunteers are likely to come from the educated middle-classes already familiar with Shakespeare and who have time and money to be in Stratford for the full run of the plays during April and May and so automatically skewed away from the working class and ethnic minorities. So, it's an elitist exercise in itself.
Are they not going to pay, or at minimum pay expenses for, the amateur actors then? If they're not then it seems to be rather unreasonable to expect people to come from all over the country & stay in Stratford for 2 months at their own expense. Yes, I know plenty of people do amateur dramatics but then the entire company will be amateur, & won't be getting millions from the Arts Council. This comes over as a way for the RSC to avoid the cost of paying extras.
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Post by Jan on Jan 28, 2022 16:38:08 GMT
There doesn't seem to be a single non-white face amongst the dozen amateurs they're recruited in Cornwall. I would imagine use of amateurs is actually counter-productive if you're concerned about diversity of casting because the volunteers are likely to come from the educated middle-classes already familiar with Shakespeare and who have time and money to be in Stratford for the full run of the plays during April and May and so automatically skewed away from the working class and ethnic minorities. So, it's an elitist exercise in itself.
Are they not going to pay, or at minimum pay expenses for, the amateur actors then? If they're not then it seems to be rather unreasonable to expect people to come from all over the country & stay in Stratford for 2 months at their own expense. Yes, I know plenty of people do amateur dramatics but then the entire company will be amateur, & won't be getting millions from the Arts Council. This comes over as a way for the RSC to avoid the cost of paying extras.
I’ve no idea what the financial arrangements are. The very good Deborah Warner production of Julius Caesar at the Barbican used amateurs for the crowd scenes - I seem to recall some complaints about that at the time. It wasn’t anything to do with “community”, just a way of getting a 100-strong mob on stage.
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382 posts
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Post by stevemar on Jan 28, 2022 16:45:33 GMT
Given the size of the cast for these productions, I contend that the full spectrum of racial diversity in the UK should be reflected in the casting. There doesn't seem to be a single non-white face amongst the dozen amateurs they're recruited in Cornwall. I would imagine use of amateurs is actually counter-productive if you're concerned about diversity of casting because the volunteers are likely to come from the educated middle-classes already familiar with Shakespeare and who have time and money to be in Stratford for the full run of the plays during April and May and so automatically skewed away from the working class and ethnic minorities. So, it's an elitist exercise in itself. Jan - where is the information or photo for the Cornish cast? In fairness though, Cornwall is surely less ethnically diverse than the Midlands. They do seem to be trying to make some effort, but of course they also need bring in the audiences too. On the subject of audiences, like most theatres, these remain prodominantly white and middle aged. Same as the National, unless it is a play aimed at a more diverse audience. I certainly noticed I was one of only a few non-Caucasian faces on my two visit to the RSC in Stratford.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jan 28, 2022 18:39:52 GMT
I haven't looked at the amateur casting to know anything about their diversity or otherwise.
But I have looked at the professional casting for the H6 project and the diversity is in no way representative of the UK.
D&I work must aim at improving the situation for all communities. Otherwise it is just setting up new barriers to entry.
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Post by Jan on Jan 28, 2022 20:38:24 GMT
There doesn't seem to be a single non-white face amongst the dozen amateurs they're recruited in Cornwall. I would imagine use of amateurs is actually counter-productive if you're concerned about diversity of casting because the volunteers are likely to come from the educated middle-classes already familiar with Shakespeare and who have time and money to be in Stratford for the full run of the plays during April and May and so automatically skewed away from the working class and ethnic minorities. So, it's an elitist exercise in itself. Jan - where is the information or photo for the Cornish cast? In fairness though, Cornwall is surely less ethnically diverse than the Midlands. They do seem to be trying to make some effort, but of course they also need bring in the audiences too. On the subject of audiences, like most theatres, these remain prodominantly white and middle aged. Same as the National, unless it is a play aimed at a more diverse audience. I certainly noticed I was one of only a few non-Caucasian faces on my two visit to the RSC in Stratford. amp.theguardian.com/stage/2022/jan/26/rsc-recruits-amateurs-from-six-regions-as-shakespeares-people-of-england
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5,599 posts
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Post by lynette on Jan 28, 2022 23:29:19 GMT
I’m not a huge fan of community theatre being used in this way. At the moment all I’m thinking is what a covid nightmare managing all those people. Let’s hope the virus has gone then.
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