June 8, 2016

Purdue theatre professor spots British theme at 2016 Tony Awards

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The 70th annual Tony Awards have a distinct British accent this year, according to the head of Purdue University’s acting program, Kristine Holtvedt.

“British actors are taking over,” Holtvedt said. “I don’t mind that they play British roles, but they’re playing Americans. And taking jobs from American actors.”

Holtvedt, associate professor in the Patti & Rusty Rueff School of Visual and Performing Arts, said three out of the five actors vying for Best Actor are leading men from the British Isles. Jeff Daniels (Blackbird) and Frank Langella (The Father) are the two Americans competing against Gabriel Byrne (Long Day’s Journey Into Night), Tim Pigott-Smith (King Charles III) and Mark Strong (Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge).

“I saw Mark Strong as ‘Eddie Carbone’ in “A View from the Bridge” and he was outstanding,” Holtvedt said. “I didn’t like the style of the production – more abstract than realistic — and the British actors could not do an authentic Brooklyn Italian accent, but Mark Strong was riveting in the role.” 

English actors playing Americans is a trend that most likely won’t end any time soon. Holtvedt has observed TV, film and Broadway casting. She suggests the influx may be driven by an agreement British and American actors’ unions have in place.

 “It seems to be that a limited number of actors can come here and work, and we can go there and work. Only well-established American actors and stars are going over there to work, while well-established British actors and unknowns are coming here and winning the jobs from American actors,” she said.

In the sea of British imports, Holtvedt finds some solace in the Best Actress category – all nominees hail from the United States, including Jessica Lange (Long Day’s Journey Into Night).

“I saw a YouTube clip of Jessica Lange as ‘Mary Tyrone’ in “Long Day’s Journey into Night” – one of my favorite plays — and she really is brilliant. I hope she wins,” she said.  

The Tony Awards are Sunday (June 12) and are televised live on CBS affiliates. 

Contact: Kristine Holtvedt, holtvedt@purdue.edu

News Service contact: John Hughey, 765-494-2432, hugheyj@purdue.edu

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