Cast asunder
AFTER BEING ACCUSED of “burying my head in the sand” regarding modern-day casting requirements, I had to endure the agent explaining at length why such rules are here to stay.
Following her particularly patronising lecture, I’m now given to understand it’s “only right and proper” a role goes to someone with “real-life experience”, rather than some inappropriately versatile actor merely pretending to be homosexual/disabled/northern etc. This, I’m told, is termed “authentic casting”.
When I inquired where this “authentic” business left yours truly’s career, she cheerfully reassured me I’d be auditioning for another “cantankerous drunkard” the following Tuesday.
◆ Staying with these enlightened times, I read Emma unpleasant, old, obese woman (rightly leaving the field clear for Miriam Margolyes).
