Drama students say the Manc lilt has helped them in an industry under increasing pressure to diversify itself
Evie Musso and Erin Watson, performing arts students at the Manchester College. (Image: Ryan Jenkinson | Manchester Evening News)
Despite the plethora of accents that we manage to fit onto our small island, the world of film and TV in the UK has long been largely dominated by just one: received pronunciation.
The southern English accent is so entrenched as the default that, when a character does have a strong regional lilt, far from being a neutral facet, it often forms part of their personality.
But a new generation of up-and-coming actors are bucking that trend.
Erin Watson and Evie Musso are performing arts students at the Manchester College in Openshaw.
Today (August 14) they got the news they’d been waiting for: they passed their B-Tec in Performing Arts with flying colours, as both received a distinction star.
“It’s been really hard, so I’m really happy,” said Erin. She has managed to secure an agent, so plans in future to continue working with the National Youth Theatre and auditioning locally while she applies for drama school.
Evie meanwhile has secured a place on a three-year course at Bird College, a celebrated performing arts college in south-east London.
Both were extremely pleased with their results and are planning a night out to celebrate at Albert’s Schloss or Factory Nightclub.
But both pointed out something fairly unexpected – that their northern accents have helped, rather than hindered, their progress in the industry so far.
“They love the northern accents,” Evie told the M.E.N. “When I auditioned, I did all my scenes and songs with my natural accent.
“It really helps and makes you stand out.”
Evie and Erin speaking to the Manchester Evening News (Image: Ryan Jenkinson | Manchester Evening News)
Erin agreed, saying: “Drama school is so expensive and a lot of people from deprived areas can’t afford to do it.
“I do wish it was more accessible. But diversity is becoming more important, and we found our accents helped with that.”
Evie’s comments on class are backed up in the statistics. An Ofcom report in 2019 found that, although 88% of the UK population attended non-selective state schools, that figure among the country’s TV workforce drops down to 52%.
Of the more than 10,000 people polled, 14% of these attended fee-paying schools – double the national average of 7%.
But despite these challenges, both performers are made-up with their results and are excited for the future. Evie has her sights set on the West End, while Erin’s dream is to star in a feature film.
“The B-Tec course has allowed us to get great experience,” said Evie. “There’s been an academic side but also so much work experience, like being an extra on Waterloo Road.
“You can train as a professional and really feel like a performer.
“I considered A-Levels but kind of felt pressure to have something else as a back-up in case performing didn’t work out.
“Here, they really take it seriously and reassure you it is a real career and it is possible to succeed.
“They tell you how hard it’s going to be, but that makes you feel like an adult. I can’t believe I was ever thinking of doing anything else!”