Page 50 - Urban Kapital New MAY JUNE 2020 ISSUE

A common example is Jordan Peele’s
ACTING SCENE IN THE UK VERSUS HOLLYWOOD
2017 movie ‘Get Out’, a comedic-horror
LOCKDOWN TALKS WITH BRITISH ACTORS
film centred on interracial dating and
other race relation issues in the US.
He believed movies about US race
relations should be only played by Afri-
can Americans.

Vauxhall Jermaine voiced his opinions
on this, saying “The casting director is
still going to pick the person they want,
no matter who walks in the room. Blame
the casting director if anything”. Chari-
ty Muiruri, suggested it is down to per-
formance “If you’re doing the role well,
I don’t see the problem in being able to
In 2016 Charity performed for live shows, From Vauxhall Jermaine’s view, America cross cultures. Especially as Americans
which enabled her to be contacted by an offers more chances as there is supposed- have done it”.
organisation that creates projects around ly more work. Whereas, both Sèverine and
political events in the community. Charity see it differently and believe there Sèverine Howell-Meri also disagreed that
is often this misconception that acting in Black British actors shouldn’t play Amer-
Since then, she has been involved in var- America is the way forward. ican lead roles. Sèverine used the exam-
ious screen acting and music video op- ple of fellow British actor Cynthia Erivo
portunities. Not to mention her remark- Sèverine Howell-Meri said, “I don’t think (below) and how she has been subjected
able collaborative project The Basement there are no opportunities here or not as to criticisms, for playing as ‘Harriet’. A
Bunch. Which works with other artists and many. I think there are different kinds of film based on 19th-century abolitionist
LEFT IMAGE, THE BASEMENT BUNCH / RIGHT IMAGE, CHARITY MUIRURI creatives for theatre styled performances, opportunities in America because it is a and American Icon Harriet Tubman.
in her hometown Luton. “When we start- different industry”. Charity Muiruri, praised Sèverine supports Cynthia Erivo as she
ed in the acting industry, we were always the fact there are so many British actors in said: “Cynthia is more interested in the
Financial support for actors? Speaking on this issue, Sèverine Charity talked me through her finding limitations to the roles we can do the US but says it leaves a narrative for up- experiences Black British and Black
said “I’m not eligible for a lot of sup- journey of being an actor. From or the roles that are available to us. We coming actors to follow the same path. “If Americans have in common rather than
Quarantine has been a financial strug- port the government has provided, having a supportive drama teach- just decided instead of us waiting for the we go over there, we are the only following their differences”. She added, “I can’t
gle for some actors. Because of this, as I’ve only been self-employed for er in high school, which then later industry to give us work, why don’t we just the same pattern as what has already hap- speak about the experiences of Black
the government has announced a two years. But I’m in a very fortu- inspired her to take on a perform- create that work”. pened. We are not leading the way for those British people vs Black Americans.
scheme to support the self-employed nate position because I have sav- ing arts degree in university. But who are coming up beneath us”.
during these tough times. Support ings.” Despite this, Sèverine added during her third year at university, Charity Muiruri added, “We work in Luton Charity suggested that as creatives we
from the state has meant a grant for that she still receives a minimal she became uncertain about her because we want to bring it back to the should create work and be consistent with
the self-employed, worth 80% of their amount from her work at a theatre, chosen career and decided to take town that we’re from. However, we don’t it in England. “Why not make it our mission
average monthly profits over the last as they agreed to pay employees a break. want to limit ourselves to just Luton, we to create a platform, not for us to be seen,
three years. To be eligible for this that are on zero hour contracts. want to go to the midlands, London and but for others who see that and go ‘I want
support, individuals need to earn less “In the third year a lot was hap- international”. In light of Coronavirus, The to do that, or I could do that’. Charity shared
than £50,000 a year and at least half British-Kenyan Charity Muiruri, 27, pening at university and home, my Basement Bunch had to postpone their with me her dream of acting in a Netflix se-
of their income must have come from who is an actor and collaborator for mind wasn’t in the right place and web series ‘Thick and Thieves’ which was ries, even if it means going to America.
self-employed work. The Basement Bunch. Also shared so I felt I needed a break”. scheduled to be released this year.
her opinions on how she is coping “I’m not going to turn around and say, ‘I’m
Backstage an online career resource financially, she said, “I’m not spend- Because of this decision Charity “There’s nothing we can do to move for- not going to do that’, but I’m not going to
for actors and performers pointed out ing a lot of money and the money I felt lost on what she wanted to do, ward in what we are doing. As a team leave everything I have here now and sac-
criticisms of this scheme. They ad- am getting, I am saving”. Before the but then was drawn to Creative we still have talks, but it’s relaxed as we rifice that to go to the States”. But one thing I can agree on is what
dressed that many actors do not earn lockdown, Charity lived and worked Access where she secured a job at talk about each other and look after our Cynthia said, the feelings are very simi-
50% of their income through self-em- part-time in Leicester for a theatre a talent agency. well-being”. Black British actors playing American lar between Black American people and
ployment, as people often work in Pay company, like many UK employees leading roles Black British people when we experience
As You Earn (PAYE) to support their she is still earning regular income “I started off feeling great about it, Acting industry: the UK versus the US racism”.
acting career. According to them, the having been put on ‘Furlough’. A but then when you’re an actor at It was interesting to bring into context, the
government scheme does not cover support system for firms hit by heart you start seeing opportuni- Talking with Vauxhall, Sèverine and criticisms Black British actors face when Speaking with Vauxhall, Sèverine and
those who recently became self-em- Coronavirus, which allows employ- ties you wish you could be doing”. Charity. There was common debate, about taking on a role solely based on a American Charity makes me proud to be British.
MAGAZINE // 50 ine Howell-Meri, support cannot be from the government. tivated to get back into acting and offers the same amount of opportunities in American actor Samuel L. Jackson tors and creatives doing such great work. MAGAZINE // 51
ees to claim 80% of their wages
The UK has a collective of talented ac-
ployed. So, for many like Sèver-
character.
whether the acting industry in the UK
Because of this, she was later mo-
paves the way for the next generation of
she did just that.
claimed for those with less than three
the United States.
criticised the leading role being played by
London-based actor Daniel Kaluuya.
performers.
Continued...Kia Fullerton