It's not a meritocracy: acting and social inequality

Research from Goldsmiths, University of London and the London School of Economics aims to explore, challenge and contribute to the debate on class, diversity, and the acting profession.

Dr Dave O'Brien, Senior Lecturer in Cultural Policy at Goldsmiths and Dr Sam Friedman, Assistant Professor in Sociology, LSE, have uncovered worrying inequality within the acting profession in the UK.

They are working with data from the BBC’s Great British Class Survey and interviewing actors about their experiences of becoming an actor, the trials and tribulations of getting work, and how acting relates to other areas of their lives, such as social networks and cultural tastes.

“Diversity and openness in the stage and screen worlds has made headlines in recent years, with high profile figures such as Lenny Henry and Judi Dench showing concern,” explains Dr O’Brien.

He adds: “Our on-going research explores who gets to be an actor, who actors represent on stage and on screen, and what kinds of social groups are still facing exclusion from the profession.”

No Milk for the Foxes

On Friday 24 April Dr O’Brien and Dr Friedman take part in a post-show discussion at the Camden People’s Theatre, after a performance of new play No Milk for the Foxes.

In conversation with the audience, they will explain how their research indicates that exploitation and inequality among those on stage reflects “the exploitation and inequality at the heart of contemporary Britain”.

No Milk for the Foxes asks whether it is “important to aspire to a higher station or better just to accept your lot”. It runs at Camden People’s Theatre from 22 April – 9 May as part of The State We’re In: three weeks of political work leading up to the General Election.

As television monitors buzz in front of them, two friends pass their minimum-wage night shift debating status, class and milk. While one man keeps his head down, working hard and praying his contract will be extended, the other can't wait to clock off. He has had enough and insists he’s leaving. The same as he did yesterday.

Its creators, who self-define as working-class, say they want to “challenge representations of class on the modern stage and bring humour and humility to their audiences”. 

 

No Milk for the Foxes runs from Wed 22 Apr - Sat 09 May

Time: 7.30pm / 6pm on 2 May / 9pm on 5-9 May

Ticket Information: £12 / £10 (£9 early bird until 10 April)

To book tickets, visit the Camden People’s Theatre website.

£5 tickets are available for performances on Wednesday 22 - Saturday 25 April with the promo code "nomilk". 

 

To find out more about the Acting and Social Mobility research project visit the Stratification and Culture Research website.