That Man from Beyond the Fringe

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment_news/article4092587.ece

Just read the article in which Sir Jonathan Miller, the theatre director attacks West End theatre producers for having "an obsession with celebrity".

He accuses the West End of coming up with "celebrity" Hamlets, and in this regard, cites David Tennant as "that man from Doctor Who"

But the RSC press report paints a very different picture.

David Tennant returns to the RSC to play the title role, directed by RSC Chief Associate Director Gregory Doran.
David last appeared with the RSC as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet and Antipholus of Syracuse in The Comedy of Errors in 2000. As well as acting extensively on the stage, most recently in The Pillowman at the National Theatre, David has become a household name as the tenth actor to portray Dr Who.


Of another star name (and it is surprising Miller didn't mention "that man from Star Trek",

Patrick Stewart returns to the RSC to play Claudius. He last appeared with the Company to great acclaim during the Complete Works Festival as Antony in Antony and Cleopatra and Prospero in The Tempest

So what is the real cause of Jonathan Miller's criticism:

His productions of Hamlet, at the Tobacco Factory in Bristol, and The Cherry Orchard at the Sheffield Crucible had both been shunned because of the lack of famous names among the casts, he said.

In fact, David Tennant as has been pointed out, "earned his spurs with the company for two seasons" in 1996-7 and in 2000."

That was before he was well known as Doctor Who. But should that bar him from doing what he enjoys doing, and does extremely well - as does Patrick Stewart - live theatre?

I think it is a case of sour grapes. Miller, after all, quite happily cast Joanna Lumley.

It is true that West End theatres do look for bankable "names", but that doesn't mean that the people they do choose are not fine actors. That is the fatal flaw in Jonathan Miller's diatribe. He addresses the right issue, but with the wrong arguments.

Would he regard it as insulating and demeaning if he were just called "that man from beyond the fringe", with complete disregard for his theatre achievements?