Training

There has been much concern in recent years about the under-representation of working class and BAME people in theatre. Or perhaps that should be 'on stage'—the numbers of casual backstage staff tell a different story.

And the problem, of course, is, yet again, money—the cost of training. It’s estimated that a three-year course at a London drama school will cost (for someone who lives outside of London and so has to find accommodation), taking everything into consideration, £40,000 in total, of which almost £28,000 is tuition fees.

Now, according to the Office of National Statistics, the average UK income in the financial year ending April 2019 was £36,611.

Interesting comparison, no?

But let’s compare to that to the minimum wage of someone over 25 at the time: it was just under £17,077, less than half the average. Even with student loans being available, £40,000 is a frightening figure for someone from a low income household and for his / her family.

We should be considering how we can make training more affordable or acting will remain a profession purely for the moneyed classes.

Perhaps the lead shown by Project A at Newcastle Theatre Royal might suggest one way forward? This is a very small (no more than 18 students between 18 and 25) one-year course, taught by industry professionals and costing just £1,665, payable as a lump sum or termly.

Let’s celebrate such training initiatives rather than focusing on the RADAs, the East 15s, the Centrals, The Guildhalls and the rest!

And please, those companies and theatres which offer unpaid internships, stop now! Yes, an internship is a good way of gaining experience but only those with a private income or supportive (and rich) parents can afford to work for nothing, which rules out the majority of the population. If you want people to work for you, even if they are gaining experience in the process, pay them!

It reminds me of those offers which many a musician gets very frequently: "Come and perform at our function. There’s no fee, I’m afraid, but is will be good experience for you and it will get you known."

Would you ask a plumber or a bricklayer to work without pay "for the experience"? You can imagine the answer you'd get!