Hello, and welcome back to Week in Review, our roundup of industry-wide news. From stage to screens big and small, we’ve got you covered. It’s everything you need to know and all you can’t afford to miss.
BAFTA names Breakthrough Brits 2019
Industry and awards body BAFTA has named 20 promising stars of the film, TV, and games industries as their Breakthrough Brits of 2019. This year’s cohort of talented newcomers are to be celebrated in London next week, followed by ongoing one-to-one career guidance and mentoring. Since launching in 2013, the flagship new talent scheme has championed more than 100 young performers and creatives, including actors Florence Pugh, Josh O’Connor, and Malachi Kirby.
Four actors were selected this year, including Chance Perdomo (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) and Niamh Algar, who described how she was “in shock” at being chosen. The Irish actor, who appeared in Channel 4’s The Virtues, said: “The people who’ve been on this list in previous years are phenomenal. I feel very lucky.” Elsewhere were actors Abubakar Salim (Raised By Wolves) and Vicky Knight (Dirty God).
READ: What Keeps Chance Perdomo Going, Even When He Wants to Give Up
Actors reveal survival jobs after ‘job-shaming’ of Katie Jarvis
Top actors, including Adrian Lester, David Suchet, and West End star Caroline Sheen, have opened up about their survival jobs in solidarity with former EastEnders actor Katie Jarvis after she was “job-shamed” by the tabloid press last week. The Daily Star gleefully reported how Jarvis was working as a security guard but quickly found themselves drowned out by support for Jarvis.
West End musical star Caroline Sheen, soon to be seen alongside David Hasselhoff in Dolly Parton musical 9 to 5, told how she sold perfume in department stores between leading roles at the National Theatre and “worked in Jo Malone between playing Mary Poppins on two continents.” Sheen said: “Otherwise, I would not have had a penny to my name,” adding: “F**k you gutter press.”
Adrian Lester said he’d worked as a cleaner, bartender, and waiter while David Suchet revealed he worked in retail, as a lift operator, and “unloaded lorries full of frozen dog food.” Suchet encouraged actors not to give up: “It’s all part of your life experience which you will use even subconsciously.”
READ: The Backstage Guide to UK Survival Jobs
The Bunker to close ahead of site redevelopment
The Bunker Theatre is to close after just three and a half years following this week’s announcement that the site is to be redeveloped by its owner. The venue, housed inside a converted car park in London Bridge, first opened in 2016 and has hosted 160 productions, from small-scale readings to full runs. The Bunker’s last performance will be in March 2020.
Artistic director Chris Sonnex said the theatre was closing “not with sadness… but with pride,” claiming that although the venue will be gone, the “ripples of what our community of artists, staff and audiences did” will be around “for years to come.” Ahead of closing, it will stage a month-long run of The Process by Baz Productions, performed in English and BSL, The Girl With Glitter in Her Eye performed by OPIA Collective, and a takeover season of artist-led “experiments, events and performances.” Read more here.
Offstage diversity in theatre has ‘a long way to go’
Leading black creatives have this week warned that British theatre has “a long way to go” to bring diversity to offstage and technical roles. Speaking at the inaugural Black British Theatre Awards (BBTA) in London this week, artistic director Lynette Linton argued the industry has “a lot of work to do” to achieve better diversity in creative teams and technical roles. Black Ticket Project founder Tobi Kyeremateng, who won best producer at the awards, told The Stage that the industry was obsessed with “face value representation” instead of offstage roles, and Linton warned that arts education was vital to ensuring people of all backgrounds have access to careers.
The BBTAs saw Linton heralded as best director for Sweat while best male actor went to Arinzé Kene for Misty at the Bush Theatre, with Gloria Williams winning best female actor for Bullet Hole. Lenny Henry picked up the award for best supporting male actor for his role in King Hedley II at Theatre Royal Stratford East while Michelle Greenidge won best supporting female for the National Theatre’s Nine Night. Read the full list of winners here.
Industry bodies publish election manifesto for theatre
Long before any political parties have managed to get manifestos out ahead of the December election, two major industry bodies have published a manifesto for a “thriving theatre industry in the UK.” Suggesting plans for income generation, talent development, and international collaboration, The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre’s manifesto also condemns the decline of arts subjects in schools and argues the case for funded theatre trips for students. Elsewhere, the manifesto calls for a fund to help the sector weather the financial cost of Brexit, support to help people on benefits to undertake paid work experience in theatres and sending theatre delegates on international trade missions. Read more here.
Stage production news
Jessica Chastain is to make her British theatre debut in a new West End production of A Doll’s House. The Zero Dark Thirty star will lead the cast in Frank McGuinness’s version of Ibsen’s play which explores female empowerment in a male-dominated world. Chastain joins as part of a new season from the Jamie Lloyd Company which also includes James McAvoy in Cyrano de Bergerac and Betrayal, starring Zawe Ashton, Tom Hiddleston, and Charlie Cox – now running on Broadway. Lloyd described Chastain as “a gifted artist” who was “well known and respected for her extraordinary screen performances.” He added: “I’m delighted she is now returning to the stage – where her career began – in this bold reappraisal of Ibsen’s great masterpiece.” A Doll’s House runs from 10 June to 5 September 2020 at the Playhouse in London, with further casting to be announced.
Screen production news
Oscar-winner Jeremy Irons is to star in and produce new horse racing biopic Frankel, exploring the life of Royal Ascot trainer Sir Henry Cecil. The film charts Cecil’s early success followed by a decade of professional failure, illness, and tabloid ignominy before returning with what some claim to be the greatest racing horse ever seen – Frankel. Irons produces the film, which has a script by Mascots creator Jim Piddock and is directed by Ron Scalpello. Production begins in spring 2020 and casting is ongoing. Find out who’s casting Frankel in our Greenlit series.
More for UK actors? Check out the magazine.