Christopher Eccleston: Working class and black people not wanted in the arts now.

https://tv.bt.com/tv/tv-news/christopher-eccleston-working-class-and-black-people-not-wanted-in-the-arts-now-11364343076948

The Salford-born actor said financial and political forces were driving them out.

Christopher Eccleston has said that working class, black and brown people are not wanted in the arts anymore.

The Bafta-nominated actor said the theatre and television industry was at risk of becoming "metrocentric" at the cost of those living in less affluent parts of the UK.

Someone like me would not come through anymore

Speaking at the National Theatre's Up Next Gala, Eccleston told the Press Association someone like him would not be able to find success in today's climate.

He said: "We need to avoid being metrocentric. I'm very proud to be here tonight to raise some money, so we move out into the really important areas of Britain.

"Access to the arts is a particular issue at this time. I came through when it was easier.

"Someone like me would not come through anymore. Somebody like me would never have had a chance."

Eccleston, 55, was born in Salford, Greater Manchester, and has been a vocal supporter of working class access to the arts.

For financial and political reasons, people like me are not wanted in the arts anymore

He has also been critical of the creative industry's skew towards southern cities and middle-class actors and actresses.

He added: "The idea the National Theatre is putting forward is if we can perform in Salford, if we can perform in places all around Britain – Glasgow, Belfast, Liverpool, Newcastle – then somebody like me could do it.

"For financial and political reasons, people like me are not wanted in the arts anymore. If you come from a working class background, if you're brown, if you are of colour, you are not wanted.

"Obviously, the National Theatre, standing on the South Bank in London, it's the National Theatre's job to change that. I'm here tonight to help make access to the arts more democratic."

Eccleston – who played the ninth incarnation of the Doctor in the long-running series Doctor Who – has previously suggested he was not asked to audition for the BBC's Hollow Crown series because of class prejudice.

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Helen Mirren, Benedict Cumberbatch & Christopher Eccleston Join LIVE FROM THE NATIONAL THEATRE: 50 YEARS ON STAGE; to be Broadcast in Theaters on Nov. 2

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Helen-Mirren-Benedict-Cumberbatch-Christopher-Eccleston-Join-LIVE-FROM-THE-NATIONAL-THEATRE-50-YEARS-ON-STAGE-to-be-Broadcast-in-Theaters-112-20131011

Helen Mirren, Benedict Cumberbatch and Christopher Eccleston have joined the starry cast for The National Theatre of Great Britain's 50th anniversary celebration "LIVE FROM The National Theatre: 50 YEARS ON STAGE," directed by Nicholas Hytner. This special event will be broadcast by National Theatre Live to cinemas internationally on Saturday, November 2, 2013 (with many encore dates in U.S. cities). From Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead to The History Boys, from Antony and Cleopatra to Angels in America, from Guys and Dolls to London Road, this will be a thrilling evening of live performance and rare glimpses from the archive, featuring many of the most celebrated actors who have performed on their stages over the past five decades.

From its early golden period under the leadership of Laurence Olivier at The Old Vic Theatre to its now iconic building in the heart of London, The National Theatre has been home to Britain's finest theatrical talent, premiering works by renowned writers such as Harold Pinter, Peter Shaffer, Tom Stoppard, Alan Bennett and David Hare, and staging celebrated performances by Maggie Smith, Derek Jacobi, Judi Dench, Michael Gambon and the rising stars of today.

A cast of 100 will perform live on stage, including Olivier Award winner Roger Allam, Olivier Award winner Simon Russell Beale, Olivier Award winner Benedict Cumberbatch, Tony and Olivier Award winner Frances de la Tour, Tony and Academy Award winner Judi Dench, International Emmy Award winner Christopher Eccleston, Tony Award winner and Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes, Olivier Award winner Michael Gambon, Tony and Olivier Award winner DerekJacobi, Olivier Award winner Alex Jennings, Olivier Award winner Rory Kinnear, Olivier Award winner Adrian Lester, BAFTA award winner Anna Maxwell Martin, Academy, Emmy, Golden Globe & Olivier Award winner Helen Mirren, Olivier Award winner AnDrew Scott, Tony & Olivier Award winner Maggie Smith and Olivier Award nominee Penelope Wilton, with more to be announced soon.

The next National Theatre Live broadcast will be the premiere of the Manchester International Festival's production of MACBETH, directed by Rob Ashford & Kenneth Branagh. This "Captured Live" Broadcast will launch on October 17, 2013(with many encore dates in U.S. cities following the October 17 re-broadcast). Kenneth Branagh returns to the stage for his first Shakespearean role in over a decade, taking the title role in Manchester International Festival's production of Macbeth, with Alex Kingston ("Dr. Who," "ER") as Lady Macbeth. This tragic tale of ambition and treachery unfolds within the walls of an intimate deconsecrated Manchester church. Macbeth from Manchester International Festival marks National Theatre Live's first festival partnership and fourth broadcast from outside The National Theatre. This production of Macbeth was commissioned and produced by Manchester International Festival, where it played in July 2013.