What's in a name? West End casting directors raise concerns about trend for big stars

"But over the last few years, the propensity to cast film and TV stars for the stage has become a point of contention in an industry still struggling from funding cuts and changing audience habits after the Covid pandemic. While some believe big names can help entice audiences and sell tickets, others say they stop risk-averse theatres from taking a chance on smaller productions with unknown casts."

"Nadine Rennie,co-chair of the Casting Directors' Guild, warned that the trend was killing the industry, and mid-scale theatres would be the first to go despite being where the household names of the future cut their teeth. Speaking at conference hosted by Spotlight at Rada, Rennie compared the proliferation of celebrity names on stages to feeding a child too much sugar. It's killing audiences' intellects. I hear audience members say all the time: I don't know anybody who's in this'. Or they're not excited about a new play by an emerging writer, she said."

"Jill Green, a casting director for shows including The Devil Wears Prada, The Great Gatsby and War Horse, told the Guardian that many casting directors are increasingly being asked to cast big-name actors, with some theatres refusing to commit to booking a show until a recognised name is attached. This does make it much harder for new writing and productions without headline names to secure a slot against star-led shows, she said."

Celebrity casting is increasingly prevalent in West End and subsidised theatre, with screen stars appearing in major productions and at national venues. Examples include Ncuti Gatwa in Born With Teeth, Alicia Vikander in The Lady From the Sea, Susan Sarandon in Mary Page Marlowe, and screen favourites Paul Mescal and Nicola Coughlan at the National Theatre. The trend has generated contention amid funding cuts and shifting post-Covid audience habits. Proponents argue that household names attract audiences and sell tickets. Critics warn that prioritizing stars limits opportunities for new writing and emerging casts, and threatens mid-scale theatres that traditionally develop future talent.

Read at www.theguardian.com