To really not understand this fascination for named people who can't act getting places above really fucking excellent stage actors. Catherine Tate.

[Lanark2]

I don't mean to be nasty, because bad or not, I would love to act shakespeare. Catherine Tate can't act effectively, but there is a feature on her acting shakespeare and you can hear she isn't 'in the part'. She is being mentioned alongside Judy Dench ffs.

Sadly, I also include Kiera Knightly in this. Great as a kid, never really believable as anadult, but still a 'name'.

Odd and extremely unfair.

[blueemerald]

I don't buy the selling tickets argument. Cats (for example) has run for 35 years, long before this trend started. I think the 'stars' get more out of it than the musical/production.

[PirateSmile]

I saw Catherine Tate in Much Ado as well and I agree that she was excellent.

[Dumbledoresgirl]

I totally get what you are saying about CT in Shakespeare. I saw her in Much Ado and she just didn't inhabit the role at all. I haven't been able to work it out before now, but what you said resonated. She is doubtless talented in other ways, but not playing Shakespeare. Unlike David Tennant who is absolutely brilliant. He makes Shakespeare come alive.

I was thinking about Judi Dench earlier. I've never seen her ,I've but funnily enough I was thinking just what you were thinking, only about her. Is she really so brilliant as to merit 7 Olivier awards? I'm not saying she isn't, but I do wonder about unknown names - the majority of actors - wondering how they must feel being forever eclipsed by people who have somehow made a name for themselves.

[Dumbledoresgirl]

That should say I've never seen JD LIVE.

[MistressDeeCee]

I agree with you OP. In every creative field, "star names" are taking over roles that people who have trained and struggled for years will now no longer have a chance to get. Its so very unfair. What is the point of years at acting school when a "name" can just waltz into a main part? I see DJing was mentioned - thats another thing. Being a DJ for years then "star names" who mostly play shit music anyway, becoming the main attraction. Its as if nothing is sacred anymore, all is sacrified on the altar to celebrities and its at overkill stage. Catherine Tate is a good enough sketch/comedy actress but anything else, no. I didn't like her Doctor Who part either, actually. No depth. Mediocre talent at best but she's a "name" so has the option to dip in here and there creatively as she pleases.

[Bragadocia]

But Catherine Tate started out as a stage actress, and she's properly trained. The comedy stuff came later for her. She was doing Shakespeare with RSC before she ever did 'Nan' and all the rest.

[notquitehuman]

I suppose it's hard for companies performing Shakespeare to make a profit. They can fill the seats with people coming to see celebs, and use that cash to maintain the theatre and put on less popular shows.

It is annoying at times. If there's a show or musical you really want to see and you can't get seats because some sleb is in it. I really wanted to see the theatrical version of The Children's Hour as I enjoyed the film. But with Keira Knightly and Elisabeth Moss from Mad Men starring I had no chance of getting tickets. Without going bankrupt anyway.

[wavingnow]

I agree blueemerald (plus when they do things like Rowan Atkinson playing Maigret, never cared for Maigret but R Atkinson why!) As programmes like strictly, BGT and the singing ones there is a mass of untapped natural talent out there trying to get a chance.

[bakeoffcake]

I think she's a bloody good actress.

And her Nan impression is fab.

[WorraLiberty]

Worra Fuckin' Liberrrrrrtty!!

[jeremyisahunt]

I've heard that Matthew Perry's new play is pretty dire, yet it has a west-end slot?

[marshmallowpies]

I've seen Catherine Tate in a couple of Alan Ayckbourn plays and she was pretty good in those - though she was cast alongside some other comedians and/or comic actors (eg Reese Shearsmith) so she was in similar company, I guess. She was certainly not 'below par' the rest of the cast.

[Sunshowercap]

Ahem. Has anyone pointed out that Ms Tate trained at Central. Exactly where Dame Judi trained.

YABU OP

[MyFavouriteClintonisGeorge]

I've seen Judi Dench live, twice. She really was amazing. Ditto Kenneth Branagh-slightly annoying on screen, astonishingly good on stage.

But then, everyone can have a bad day at the office (or run on stage). I saw Rachel Weisz in something on stage and she was truly awful. Provincial town Am Dram society's up-herself diva laughing stock kind of shit.

Ditto Joseph Fiennes, at the RSC.

It happens.

[YesThisIsMe]

I saw Judy Dench as Cleopatra. I was not particularly blown away but then I'm not a huge Shakespeare nerd so I'm a very tough sell.

[YesThisIsMe]

(I know it's Judi btw - my iPhone thinks it knows better)

[MalmseyWhine]

There are hundreds and hundreds of excellent actors getting plenty of repeat work, all very well known and respected in their industry without having to deal with the hassles of "stardom".

I expect they don't begrudge Catherine Tate her press and publicity one bit as long as they are getting jobs too!

[MalmseyWhine]

I'm not a big fan of Judi Dench, but she was excellent as Paulina, the role she won her latest Olivier for. She's also had an 30/40 year career so 7 awards in that period probably isn't excessive.

Imelda Staunton's won 7 and she's a fair bit younger.

[MalmseyWhine]

Sorry, Imelda's won 4.

[shinynewusername]

YANBU - CT on Front Row this evening made me cringe. Her acting is below school play level.

[MalmseyWhine]

Is Ronan's Hamlet subtitled ' He does it best, when he does nothing at all'?

[squidgyapple]

I thought she was good in Atonement. (But absolute shite in those godawful Chanel ads)

That's a bit harsh Tartyflette - so your saying she's shite at just looking out of a boat with a pouty face

[whattheseithakasmean]

I saw Alan Rickman at the Edinburgh Festival and he was astonishing. A propos of nothing, just wanted to boast I'd seen AR