On The Offensive

'A new comedy for E4 is looking for Oriental women to play workers in a sweatshop. Payment details: expenses only.'

I don't even know where to start with this casting. Sometimes a casting is offensive because it only asks for 'hot' women who look sexy in a skimpy bikini. Sometimes I complain because the casting asks for a lot of gratuitous nudity. And then there's my favourite complaint when they don't offer to pay. But none of them come even close to the one above. Oh believe me, plenty have tried. But oh how they fail...

I've got to the point where I'm fairly sure that I've seen it all with castings. I've seen rude ones, offensive ones and downright confusing ones. It's enough to make a lazy actress feel like she's living in a Dr Seuss book. But then there are ones that suddenly appear and tick all the wrong boxes. And this one is a prime example. I had to read it a fair few times to make sure that I was actually reading it correctly. Surely no one would be this stupid. Surely this wasn't the work of a mainstream channel?

Now, regular readers of my blog will know that we are no longer to be surprised when well-known channels and production companies don't offer actors money. This has become as regular as John Barrowman turning up where he's not wanted. A new culture has entered the acting world where companies that seemingly make lots of money try and get away with not paying their performers. And while a lot of us don't do it, they know a lot of performers will apply because they'd like the exposure. So while these companies can get away with posting these adverts, they'll continue to do so and our profession gets ground into the ground even further. It's only when the companies get pulled up on these farcical adverts that they backtrack and either say it was posted by mistake or that instead they'll get friends and family to be involved instead. I could (and I do) complain forever about how insulting it is but instead of me repeating myseld yet again, I suggest you take a look at the most popular posts down the right-hand side of my blog to see my full thoughts on the matter.

But back to the casting in my very angry hand. The main issue with this casting is just how offensive it is. Firstly, the term 'oriental.' It's old and antiquated and entirely unecessary in a casting. I know the political correctness tightrope is one that many tread with difficulty and I realise that sometimes people can worry too much but surely there's a limit? And while I admit it could be a lot worse, it's a term that definitely jars. And then there's the stomach-punching offensive irony. Did no one look at the casting and think just how ridiculous it is to ask for actors to play roles in a sweatshop and then not offer to pay them? I mean, I can be slow on the uptake sometimes (I'm a pro at the confused 'I don't really know what you're asking me to do' face in auditions) but wasn't this one blindingly obvious? Oh, and then there's the idea of setting a comedy in a sweatshop. Comedy is a wonderful thing and can miraculously turn a subject on its head. But on E4? A channel that thinks Made in Chelsea and Desperate Scousewives are acceptable? Yeah. I'd bet everything I hold dear and the world's supply of Salt & Vinegar McCoys on it being deeply offensive and so un-funny that it'll snap your funny bone in half.

Each time I see one of these castings I think it'll be the last one. I thought the advert for a film that wanted to tackle the exploitation of women which was looking for actresses to work for nothing was the final straw. But no. And I'm sure another channel is already drafting up another casting that'll make us want to smash our televisions with our very souls. And have no fear, I'll be ready and waiting for it.

Total Immersion

Unless you've been living under a rock (or somewhere far flung like Surbiton) then you won't have failed to notice that immersive theatre is bloody everywhere these days. Putting on a standard play is just not acceptable these days and if the line between the performers and audience isn't as blurry as an actresses vision after a bottle of Merlot then it's not worth talking about.

I won't bore you senseless about talking about the various companies that have taken this particular performance baton and have run for the hills with it because I'm fairly sure that there are several articles out there that cover this subject far better than me. I could put a few links up for you but hey, this blog ain't a holiday, do your resting on your own time. But no, what I wanted to look at was the idea of being in the audience of these things, especially when you're a performer yourself.

If you're a performer then it's always going to be difficult to completely switch off on a trip to the theatre. Just like a chef visiting a restaurant or a doctor finding themselves in A&E, when you know how things are done, the joy of something is minimised somewhat. Theatre done well is one of the most magical experiences but if I'm in the audience, I'm also thinking of what's going on backstage before the curtain goes up. I think about the fact that actors are probably slouched just inches from the stage, gossiping with their cast about how annoying the director has become. And when watching actors on stage, I try to enjoy the action that's happening then and there but I can't help wondering if, like me, they're actually stood there wondering about how they need to pop to the bank tomorrow. And when they're taking their curtain call, it'd be lovely to think that their smiles are because of another job well done but more often than not, it's relief that they're one show closer to the end of the run.

But what happens when, as a performer, you find yourself in the audience of an immersive theatre piece. Immersive shows put the audience in the role of the performer so you'd think it would be the ideal scenario; you get to perform without the hassle of an irritating cast, awkward director and the constant nagging feeling that you could be doing something better...or something like that... But instead, I find myself more concious than ever. I start worrying that I'm not doing what the actors need you to do and that you're completely ruining their show. And I have full reason to worry about this kind of thing because I've done it before. Last year I went to the wonderful One-on-One Festival at the BAC. If you didn't go then a quick description is that each room had a different immersive experience and you go in on your own and have the time of your damn life. In one room I got to lie on a bed and draw a self portrait and in another room I had my own personal cocktail made for me. I was even kidnapped by a criminal team of beatboxers who blindfold you, throw you into a car and give you your own, private beatboxing performance. However, one of the greatets rooms was run by the masters of immersive theatre, Ontroerend Goed. It was called A Game of You and in simple terms, looks at how others view you. I don't want to ruin it in case any of you ever get to experience it but it's awesome and incredible and it makes you think for days. But, of course, I managed to ruin mine almost instantly by sitting on the wrong chair when I entered the room. The actor tried to subtly tell me that I was in the wrong chair but I had no idea what they were trying to do, thinking that this was all part of the show. Sadly the actor had to finally break out of character and tell me in the most simple terms that I was sat in the wrong chair and they'd be unable to continue until I moved. Nothing ruins a moment quite like the feeling that you've ruined something rather magical.

Then last night I found myself at another immersive theatre piece courtesy of the wonderful BAC. I was at Babel in Caledonian Park, a grand spectacle where the audience find themselves very much part of the action. But I wasn't sure just how much we were supposed to be involved. At times, members of the audience were shouting out, enjoying the mob mentality that was being inflicted upon us and I'm sure we were supposed to join in but,  instead of feeling like I could shout along too, I found myself worrying that the actors were getting annoyed with them for ruining the show. I didn't want to be the immersive theatre equivalent of the idiot who sits in the front row eating a bag of Kettle Chips while playing on his phone and farts loudly in every dramatic pause. Although that does sound quite fun...maybe I need to rethink my position as an audience member...