Dervla Kirwan today warned Britain was in danger of losing a generation of female stars because of a shortage of roles for older women.
The Irish actress appears as the only woman in a cast of five in The Weir, which opened last night at the Wyndham’s Theatre following a sell-out run at the Donmar Warehouse last year.
At 42, Kirwan — who made her name in TV shows Ballykissangel and Goodnight Sweetheart — said she was conscious of older women being forgotten in acting.
“The thing I have noticed is ageism within the business and the lack of work that is out there,” she said.
“That’s why I’m grateful to have this wonderful part because these parts don’t come around very often.
“It must be difficult for young playwrights — should they write a part for an older woman? Of course they should because [acting is] screaming out for those parts and women are screaming out to find someone who they can identify with. There is a wealth of fabulous actresses in England.”
She praised the all-female production of Julius Caesar staged at the Donmar, saying: “That was a deeply important moment in theatre. I think if Shakespeare were alive today he would say ‘yes, bring it on’.”
Josie Rourke, who directed The Weir and is also artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse, agreed about the need to offer significant roles to women.
She said: “It is not just about balance but also the scale of the role and where they get to go with it.”
