Actors Vs Comedians: Finding Work is No Joke

Everyone likes to laugh. Well, not everyone. I’ve met the odd few who prefer to sit miserably sulking in a corner but, for the most part, laughing is a particularly popular pastime. It expresses happiness, it works those ab muscles and, doctors tell us, it’s fantastic for our health. So it’s no wonder that during these past few war-themed, politically murky, recession filled years, stand-up comedy has wriggled its nimble little self into almost every facet of the creative entertainment industry. Switch on the television and, within minutes, you’ll be faced with a grinning comedian headlining a campaign for insurance. Stephen Merchant for Barclays, Jason Manford for Churchill, Omid Djallili for MoneySupermarket.com. Comedians also have sitcoms covered (Ricky Gervais The Office, Jack Dee Lead Balloon, Simon Amstell Grandma’s House, Hugh Dennis Outnumbered, Miranda Hart Miranda),theatre (Lenny Henry Othello, Comedy of Errors, Matt Lucas Prick Up Your Ears, Omid Djalili Oliver) and even television dramas (Miranda Hart Call the Midwife,Peter Kay Doctor Who.)!

So where does this leave actors?

We’re all realistic enough to appreciate that getting your face on the TV often makes you a much more desirable casting option to a theatre. From my first foray into this industry I learnt the importance of actors putting aside their pride for a day, bagging a commercial and then flitting back to the theatre whilst living off the advert’s repeat fees. With this base covered, comedians are now in the front line for much of the subsequent TV, film and theatre casting plus continue doing their live work.

The differences between the working ways of actors and comedians are the basis of why this is becoming an issue. Many actors just act. They form part of a chain,becoming the characters visualised by another craftsman, a writer, and are shaped by a director. Actors audition for roles and, when they’re not cast in something,they’re generally, uh, ‘resting’. They have a branding, a USP, to some point, but really their job is to lend themselves to whatever character or situation they are playing and assimiliate into the production. Comedians, providing they’re proactive,can perform, paid or unpaid, every night of the week around the country, accessing new audiences and building up fans continuously. Comedians are very lucky in that they develop a persona and brand that defines them throughout their career, and gives casting directors a much easier job of comprehending where they might fit into a production.

My concern is that the appetite for the fast, easy, recognisable appeal of the stand-up and the attachment of their name to a project will reduce the opportunities for actors to hit our stages and screens with subtle, developed and moving performances. Perhaps its time for the actors themselves to fight back? Maybe its time for them to adapt their way of working, promoting and branding to compete with the new kids in this brave new world? Only time will tell.