Veteran actor Eddie Marsan has spoken out about the lack of opportunities for working-class youngsters in the acting profession, calling for intervention to create a more level playing field. In a piece for The Guardian, Marsan highlighted his own struggle to fund drama school, relying on his late mother and an East End bookmaker to cobble together his first year's fees, and then winning a scholarship to continue.
Marsan welcomed comments by Maureen Beattie, president of Equity, on the issue, and echoed Idris Elba's statement to MPs that 'talent is everywhere, opportunity isn't.' He noted that the problem extends beyond actors to working-class writers, directors, and producers, resulting in a narrow perspective dominating the stories told.
The actor argued that drama training is an invaluable tool for young people, helping them find confidence and self-expression. He stressed that acting is an egalitarian art form, as it relies on inner resources rather than expensive tuition. Marsan called for a more diverse cultural landscape, where stories from different classes, races, and cultures are told.
To achieve this, Marsan advocated for positive action, including funding and quotas. He proposed a scheme where the government and industry collaborate to encourage companies to donate to training costs, enabling those excluded by lack of money to build careers. 'Talent is everywhere, opportunity isn't – but it doesn't have to be that way,' he concluded.
