Actors’ trade fare in Bishopsgate is putting on monologue auditions to beat isolation

TV Apprentice star Felicity Jackson... ready to launch actors' trade fair at Bishopsgate on February 8. Picture: Surviving Actors (Image: Surviving Actors)

The trade show next month aims to tackle isolation and rejection for those struggling in the acting profession, but hoping to break through in 2020.

Felicity is putting on the 'Surviving Actors London 2020' Saturday event on February 8 at ETC Venues in Bishopsgate, near Liverpool Street station.

"Actors experience a lot of instability and rejection," she points out. "All those who are struggling are coming together to support and learn from one another. The acting industry can be isolating."

Her trade fair is also aiming to give something back to the community with an appeal for wannabe actors to donate a foodbank network in exchange for performing a two-minute monologue in front of leading casting directors and agents.

The "Meals 4 Monologues" appeal has 60 auditions on the day, so they have to get there early to sign-up.

Felicity appeared in Series 7 of BBC's The Apprentice, where she beat 72,000 people to reach the final 16 candidates, but was eventually 'fired' in week four.

She set up Surviving Actors as an annual convention with seminars addressed by agents and casting directors where newcomers bring their CVs, headshots and showreel for advice on how professionals view them and what steps to take to the next level. She also founded Casting Days, a company focusing on professional showcases for trained actors.