Whether your dream is to play Othello at the National or to be the next TV star, it’s easy to think that there’s only one place to be. But do you really have to be in London to be successful as an actor in the UK?
Well, I don’t want to sugar coat the facts. Over 70% of the UK’s film production companies are based in the South East of England and 54% of theatrical performances are in London, so there’s no escaping the fact that the industry is heavily skewed towards the capital.
However, as an actor, especially a struggling one, London has its downsides. “When you’re out of work, quality of life is so important and if you can afford to have a good quality of life and you’re in London then that’s brilliant”, says Maria Crocker, a Newcastle-based actor and director. “But if you can’t–which I certainly couldn’t–then you can work regionally and build a network and a career in that way.”
Of course basing yourself elsewhere doesn’t have to mean cutting ties to London. “As long as you’ve got enough money to catch the train or the bus, then you can get anywhere”, says Yorkshire-based casting director,
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