Theatres say sorry in Scots actors row
Two of Scotland's leading publicly-funded theatres have apologised after being condemned for shunning Scottish actors for the launch of a major new series of audio plays created in response to the pandemic.
Just two Scottish actors are in the 11-strong cast of Angela, which will launch a season of eight plays commissioned by the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh and Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
They have been bombarded with complaints on social media after unveiling Darling Buds of May star Pam Ferris, The Hunger Games star Toby Jones and call the mid wife and Luther star Matti Houghton as the stars of Angela, a new play by the English playwright and actor Mark Ravenhill.
Of the remaining cast members Jackson Laing, Joseph Millson, Nadia Albina, Dermot Daly, Raj Ghatak, Olivier Huband, Alexandra Mathie and Kirsty Stuart, only the latter two are Scottish.
The theatres have been accused of making a “gross error” in how they have used lifeline Creative Scotland funding for the production, an autobiographical play by Ravenhill inspired by his mother’s struggles with dementia.
A statement issued by “a collective of scottish-based actors and artists” described a casting announcement as “a complete dismissal and betrayal of the talent they have here.”
The statement said: “This announcement would never be popular but in a pandemic as many of us sink and wonder if we can survive this pandemic it is a huge demoralising slap in the face.”
David Greig, artistic director at the Royal Lyceum, said: “I know how hard times are for Scottish actors right now, and appreciate that to make this particular cast announcement without the context of the other casts involved in the project was tin-eared.
"We’re so sorry for that, and will learn and do better going forward.
“There are two Scottish actors in the cast of Angela, one of whom lives in the north of England. The play is Mark Ravenhill's autobiography, which explains the predominance of English actors in this particular script.
“Sound Stage is an eight play project. Five of those plays are by Scotland-based writers: Jaimini Jethwa, Gary Mcnair, Frances Poet, John Byrne and Lynda Radley.
"Gary, Lynda and Jaimini's plays have 100 per cent Scotland-based casts. John’s play is majority Scotland-based, but also had Scottish actors who live in London.
"Frances’ play is set in Edinburgh and will have a majority Scotland-based cast.
"The three other plays are Angela and totally new plays by Roy Williams and Timberlake Wertenbaker, which will be cast once scripts are complete.”
Elizabeth Newman, artistic director at Pitlochry Festival Theatre, said: “We’re really sorry that the latest press release about the first production in our Sound Stage season didn’t do enough to detail the breadth of Scottish talent helping produce all eight plays.
“Having confirmed the writers in January, we’re looking forward to announcing the directors, designers, actors and other artists very soon.”