Scores of actresses turn down roles in play critical of JK Rowling’s gender views.

[lechiffre55]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/06/13/scores-actresses-turn-down-roles-play-critical-jk-rowling

"The stage production, which is set to debut at the Edinburgh Fringe, has already caused outrage over a working title which labelled the gender-critical Harry Potter author a c----."

"The production is yet to cast any of the female roles, including that of Rowling herself."

"Actors have been found for male leads, who will portray Harry Potter cast members Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe."

I have 2 questions

1- why is the last sentence about the play's running dates - how are they planning on showing it if 2 of the main parts still aren't cast 2 months before it's due to start? 😂 how late will they leave it until they give up?

2 - exactly what exciting role in the HP franchise are hundreds of actresses aged c.20-30 not applying for this play in case it ruins their chances hoping to get?
It's not exactly a franchise overwhelmed with big parts for adult women - the majority of the cast are going to be young children/teenagers. I suppose an actress old enough to play the JKR part could conceivably play a teacher or Mrs Weasley, but other than McGonagall they are very small roles. I can't really think of any roles for a younger adult actress that would be worth the very faint chance of throwing away a role for, particularly when most actors are so desperate for any paid work.

I wonder if the ruling on Steve Coogan's film company will have any impact on this going ahead.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1wwqynwx9po

Lol indeed.

There's Bellatrix and Narcissa too, unless those have already been cast.

But people are right, they're not really fishing in the same pond. The Harry Potter series is going to be big, so any actress who might realistically hope to play Molly, one of the teachers etc isn't likely to find this an attractive proposition. I know the role is paid, but as it doesn't come with accommodation you might lose money on it. A lot of the time the Fringe is a labour of love.

I know the role is paid, but as it doesn't come with accommodation you might lose money on it. A lot of the time the Fringe is a labour of love.

Everyone except really well-known acts goes to Edinburgh just for "exposure". I'm not sure who would want this particular kind of exposure.

Mmm exactly. An actress in the sort of pool that will likely play Narcissa, Molly etc is likely to be able to do better than this, if she does feel she has to do the Fringe for exposure only.

Brilliant! Good for all those women. A real sign that times are a changing

My first thought was IW, didnt IW try being Joanne before I?

Genuinely read Project Description as Project Desperation 😶

I talked with my carer about this yesterday.

He did dance and related arts at uni for a year before swapping courses and he wants to do something at the fringe someday.

I suggested he could claim he was a woman, even with his beard.

He said he has too much respect for actors.

A good article about this show

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/06/16/j-k-rowling-achieved-almost-total-victory-over-trans-lobby/

Could someone with an account do an archive please?

You don’t need an account to archive:
Wingardium Leviosa over the paywall.

Simply insert the link in your preferred archive site eg .ph & let it get to work.

I did but there wasn't an archived version.

Ah, thank you!

Wow that article is beautiful. Thank you Zoe.

Nice article, thank you!

As PPs have suggested, of course Eddie Izzard should play Emma Watson as they are both equally beautiful women and anyone suggesting otherwise is transphobic.

I think Eddie should play all the female parts in the play, and all the male parts. It would be amazing.

Would actually watch that.

Thought it was only a 4 character play? So they haven't been able to fill half the roles.

Maybe they should give that bloke from the Ediburgh Rape Crisis centre a call, he's probably looking to expand his acting career.

Imagine making a misogynistic play, with a misogynistic title that women won't touch it with a barge pole... then being so delusional and arrogant to be surprised and baffled by the outcome😂

Brace yourself. There's a nice cat in it though.

I scraped a C in GCSE Drama, maybe I should apply?

A man pretending to be a woman acting the part of a woman who thinks she can always tell when men are pretending to be women being fooled by another man pretending to be a woman and realising that she/he can't in fact tell when another man is pretending to be a woman.

Messaging a bit confusing, really.

tl/dr: Unconvincing men indulging themselves in highly implausible wish fulfillment.

Is that a spoof?

It’s by Owl and Fox. So no, it’s deadly serious.