I don’t debate the quality of any of the names listed but I’d say only Katherine Parkinson, Linda Bassett and possibly Arthur Darvill make any difference to the non-regular-theatregoing crowd. And the Arthur Darvill show was a PR disaster and played to near empty houses. I don’t remember Tracy-Ann Oberman appearing in a show there recently, but possibly something I missed.
My point is that Ben Whishaw and John Lithgow definitely mean something to the general public and I would guess Emma D’Arcy, Phil Dunster, and possibly Anjana Vasan and Romola Garai to a lesser extent too. Plus some of the ECHO lot including Benedict Wong, Adrian Lester, Emilia Clarke, Toby Jones and probably a few more I’ve forgotten.
My observation is that the recent casting definitely includes more widely famous names in a short space of time than the previous regime and I’m just interested if that’s a conscious decision (and top down?) or it’s just happened that way.
I think this probably reflects the ignorance and lack of knowledge of some theatre goers
More than anything else
Priyanga Burford appeared in Industry and has been nominated for an Olivier
Fisayo appears in Heartstopper
Katherine Parkinson has won at least one BAFTA and appeared in Humans
Martin Crimp is probably in the top 5 most important living playwrights
Ria appeared in Three Girls which had audiences of 8 million and won 2 BAFTAs
I am sorry but if people are so lacking knowledge I don’t think they are the target demographic of the RC
It’s not the West End or Jamie Lloyd Company
Your post says
“Non theatre going crowd”
Think about that in the context of the RC
I bet many people know Ben Wishaw
Do I think “non theatre going crowd” who went to see him in Bluets loved the show?
Absolutely not
They should stick to Paddington
That was a Katie Mitchell show through and through
As I mentioned the RC rarely if ever stunt cast
And have one of the best casting departments of any theatre
Other “names” under Vicky’s time
Amanda Abbington
Julie Hesmondhalgh
Jonny Flynn
David Morrissey
Anna Chancellor
Monica Dolan
Jason Watkins
Alun Armstong
Maggie Steed
Nicola Walker
Marianne Jean Baptiste
I shall end my contribution to this post
By mentioning Carey Mulligan
Nominated for a mere 3 Academy Awards
Let me know if you can think of a theatre which can rival this selection of actors
This is a league away from Nicole Scherzinger and Cara Delevigne