To find it sad that privately educated actors dominate telly/film?

But both of the creators of Six were privately educated and met at Cambridge, and the original cast were all their friends from Camb, which tends to prove OP's point rather than disprove it! Even if some of the new cast aren't from wealthy backgrounds, the entire musical probably would never have come into being if they'd met at Leeds with parents who worked as shop assistants.

I don't understand why people are so eager to say this isn't an issue and query why people care? People were happy enough to criticise when most of the last few tory cabinets were privately educated.

@CinnamonCinnabar "I'm more interested in whether they are decent at acting in whatever show it is." Again this contradicts the point it doesn't matter - if you say your main priority is how good someone is at acting then you should be cognisant of the importance of widening access - because the chances are the best actors are also from the wealthiest % of society is pretty small. If you really want to see the 'best' actors then it needs to be a level playing field so the best people can actually get the opportunity to actually get cast in something you see and then can evaluate the quality of their acting!

I used to act, many many years ago when I was young.

I’m not from a well off background. I couldn’t afford to support myself if I wasn’t also working, which meant I couldn’t drop everything for auditions, I couldn’t act in someone’s poorly paid vanity project to make connections, I couldn’t tour with a play that didn’t pay much. I couldn’t go to drama school, I had to work.I couldn’t afford thee money or time from work to take my own play to Edinburgh.

The people I knew who could do all that were from generally well off backgrounds. But more importantly, they had family connections in the industry, from school, from their parents. They had been to universities with performing arts clubs (footlights for eg); there is always a new crop of comedy actors who all met at uni in these groups.

I never got anywhere with writing either. I was good, but I didn’t go to university, let alone have any connections. Time and again, I’d see people who did be able to do things so effortlessly.

What are you doing?

What do you mean, what am I doing? If you mean am I volunteering with a theatre groups, no I’m not as I can’t act and I don’t care what actors’ parents’ income is provided they can act.
We do give a reasonably yearly generous donation to the National Youth Orchestra but I’m not sure if you consider that to be ‘doing’ something.

Because those kids probably have parents that can support them when they don’t get a job.

And since private school doesn’t really exist in the US the way it does here it is a British issue.

Phoebe Dynevor? Sally from Corrie’s DD? Private school and acting family. Must lead to success! Ditto Cumberbatch with his mum. Show biz dynasties are far more likely to bring success. It’s in the genes and it brings support and knowledge.

The biggest issues are poor drama in schools so dc do not get a chance if parents don’t pay for acting clubs. Too many people fighting for roles so massive unemployment of actors. This is a very costly career. We can all cherry pick privately educated actors but many come from acting families. Or families in allied businesses. This is where it really matters. They can support and guide and know the best strategies to take.Talent is not much to do with school attended but state schools don’t care about arts as much as private schools do.

Don’t get your point. I can wish things were different and be part of the discussion while accepting that they currently aren’t. My son is now in a position to “pay it forward” in increasing ways. What are you doing?

Also, state schools mostly don’t have the resources to provide much in the way of creative arts. Many private schools have dedicated staff and facilities.

A number of working class actors have spoken out about the unfairness of this

It isn’t right or fair for those in the arts (of course far worse things are happening in the world but that doesn’t mean conversations should be shut down)

Of course it’s hypocritical. Did I say it wasn’t?

Ok, but then why criticise something when you do it yourself? Actions speak louder…….

Of course it’s hypocritical. Did I say it wasn’t? But the shocking thing really is that the opportunities that used to be available to everyone are just not there any more. My DS helps run a youth theatre group that is actually free- the only one with it reasonable travelling distance of us that is- and it is bursting at the seams and has a waiting list.

I agree op. Also that theatre is not accessible to a lot of people.

I am a teacher and have always taken groups of students to the theatre including coach trips to the West End which they absolutely love but they probably don’t go as adults.

I was reading recently about unemployment benefits and support in France for artists, dancers, musicians, performers and technicians in the arts and film. They can receive an income during periods without work. It recognises how unique and unstable the jobs are.

All the children I did ballet with were poor - except us (used to compete against - and lose to - Sheridan Smith). Parents scraped together cash to manage. I assume this is no longer possible due to the way in which living costs have changed, which is a shame as I knew a number of really talented people who I imagine would never have the chance if they were children now.

Edit: not saying SS was poor - I don’t know - meant all the girls at my dance school. SS not at my dance school just saw her at competitions

This is true, but there are other things in play as well. Many kids have great potential that sometimes goes somewhat to waste because they have grown up in an environment where many live by the adage that if you put your head down and work hard you will achieve whatever you want. In reality, working hard and doing as you are told won’t get you noticed as much as having the confidence to challenge the status quo, to debate interpretations or to put your own ideas forward without feeling you are disrespecting the boss. I have seen this repeated a 100 times during admissions interviews at RG universities. The students have the talent but they are so focused on pleasing the interviewer and answer as they think they are expected to do that they don’t let their intelligence shine.

I attended primary at a private school and moved into state school for secondary school. The thing that I found more shocking of the change was that someway it was seen as disrespectful to put your hand up to ask a question that included the word “but” like asking “but would you think things would have been different in Vietnam if Kennedy had not been elected?” These kind of conversations are encouraged and openly debated in class in private schools from a very early age but this is seldomly mirrored elsewhere, obviously, everybody had a teacher who was amazing and encouraged this to a great success but that teacher is often more of a one off.

@chulast also music industry . Even in the teeny indie music scenes . It is hard to make it when you have to juggle full time work etc . So much easier when you have connections . So many people I know who are making a 'living' so to speak in music were already very comfortable in the first place and were privately educated. Meanwhile, I have to treat music as a hobby and work full time. Such is life. They also know how to apply for Arts Grants whereas I wouldn't have the brass cheek to apply for stuff like that. Honestly, the liberties that I have seen taken, @chulast !

It’s not about how they are educated. It’s because they have enough wealth to support them when they are trying to succeed.

I absolutely agree with you. It’s shocking

@CurlewKate if that’s what you think, isn’t it hypocritical of you to then provide a financial cushion for your own son, as you stated upthread?
You disapprove of it yet do it yourself.

Michael Sheen is very vocal about this-talking about the free opportunities that were open to him that are just not there for kids now.

Absolutely 👍

Exactly this

I googled Barney Walsh apparently he went to the, Guildhall of Music and Drama .so I guess he at least trained 🤷 you are always and forever more get nepobabies its not new.

Barney walsh is in casualty isn't he? and Roman kemp are tv/radio presenter i mean he probably has as much talent as say Rylan or Fearne cotton who do their jobs fine imo

This is an interesting thread. I remember an interview with Gwyneth Paltrow - she said that her family got her in front of some very important / influential people … but she had to be twice as good as everyone else once she got there otherwise she would have been out.

I wonder if being privately educated is a bit of a red herring. Having friends / relatives in the industry and a bit of cash would be just as much help. It isn’t just acting - also true of journalism and politics.

Privately educated and/or nepobabes
what effing talent does that kid of Bradley Walsh/roman kemp have that kids of us mere mortals don’t?

Absolutely. And as funding for the arts continues to get slashed and cost of living continues, I can’t see it getting any better.

Exactly!