Lesley Manville Understands Young Actors’ Fears About Careers Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Talking about the impact the coronavirus crisis has on the performing industry, the ‘Phantom Thread’ star actress points out that the majority of actors are not wealthy stars.

AceShowbizLesley Manville fears young actors out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic will have their lives and careers ruined.

The 2018 Oscar nominee is one of a number of top U.K. thespians, including Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi, who have recorded short monologue films to help U.K. acting union Equity’s Benevolent Fund, which is assisting hard up performers during the crisis.

Speaking to the BBC, the “Phantom Thread” star says she fears for actors who aren’t yet established stars – as they’re unlikely to be well off enough to ride out months without work.

“I really feel for young actors at the moment, who are just getting going,” Manville says. “They’re now stuck in this real kind of critical situation that we can’t see at the moment quite how we are going to get out of.”

“You know, will theatres survive even? And when are we ever going to be in front of a camera again? It’s just very scary. They’ve devoted their time to studying and becoming actors, and then suddenly they can’t do what they’re trained to do.”

Pointing out that the majority of actors are not wealthy stars, she adds, “I’m not denying that there are some very well-paid actors around without question, who are not going to be knocking on the door of the Equity Benevolent Fund at all.”

“But that is not the case of the majority. This is about them just needing support at a time when hopefully we’re going to get through and there will be an industry when we come out the other side.”

Manville’s performance of “The Girl with No Name” by “Coronation Street” screenwriter Susan Oudot for Equity’s monologues is available to watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3Hv4kL6D4I&feature=emb_logo.

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