Another post about the West-End, it is currently my whole life keeping up with the contraversy of the musical theatre industry. Recently there has been many people having issues with Trans people playing the roles of traditionally cisgender characters. Examples of this are a transgender woman being cast as Mary Poppins being named 'gimmick casting' by the daily mail in August 2021, despite Poppins being fictional, almost out of this world like, and able to fly. Apparently the least convincing part of this story is the casting of a non cis woman. As insane as this is, this isnt the only instance of transphobia and ridiculous remarks against "non-traditional" casting, another example being in the recent Regents Park Open Air Theatre production of Legally Blonde, with Isaac Hesketh, a trans non-binary actor, playing Margot, one of the delta-nu's (again usually cast as a cis female role). This casting sparked contraversy, especially because of many other trans actors also being cast in this production as well as being a racially diverse casting.
One user on twitter claimed 'Oh bravo. Because there aren't any female actors, desperate for paid work after lockdown, who would be available and capable of playing a role written specifically for a woman, are there? And of course, we all know that roles for men have always been in such short supply.', to which Isaac themselves responded 'You've made my determination to change this industry that little bit stronger. If anyone else feels like I'm not right for this part of that I won't be able to do this role as well as a cis female PLEASE, Feel free to drop me a message and I'll be more than happy to buy you a ticket to watch the show so you can sit there for the duration and be proved wrong.' As opportunities for trans actors increase, there are bound to be "less" opportunities for cis people. However, this allows for a more diverse inclusive industry, allowing actors from all backgrounds to have the ability to succeed in the musical theatre industry. At the end of the day, it is acting. Anyone can play anyone, if they're good enough. So why now is it an issue, just because it is trans people being given these opportunities?
All in all, if a talented person can play a character well, why does it matter what is in their pants?
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