Dicky I have had people suggest it to me over the years, but I’ve never considered it. It’s a line in the sand.

Vivian Once. After a bad couple of years when I was getting nowhere, no feedback at all, and getting to an age where I felt that wouldn’t change unless I were to quit and do something else. Dark, dark, dark time.

Peter I did give up for a while just after I started. I had been doing it for four years and was getting little work. I gave up and was temping for a year while I tried to get into another field. Then someone who didn’t know I’d given up offered me an acting job – a long job in rep – and I returned. Ironically, a couple of weeks later I was offered a job in my alternative career. Things might have been so different.

Dicky Over the years, I have developed other income streams so that I can strengthen against it happening.

Vivian My desire to act has changed. It’s evolved. I’m not interested in the same things I was interested in when I graduated.

Abi I remember in the first few years post graduating, when I realised what it was actually like to be an actor, feeling very scared and destabilised about that. Because it wasn’t what we were prepared for and I didn’t know how to manage that sort of life. So I definitely considered it then. But since settling in and working out how life as a jobbing actor works, I haven’t had many thoughts about leaving.

Peter I was never a real juve. I got more work as I got older.

Jon Same, as far as age. In my early 30s I still had a bit of a baby face, but I was bald. Nobody knew where to put me. I seriously considered stopping when I wasn’t working at all. Then a very cool, clear voice in my head said: “What would you be giving up? You’re not acting anyway.” I realised it was just at that point a psychological adjustment, and

one I wasn’t ready to make.

Vivian That adjustment is a real thing. Having to realise why you are sticking with it, rather than blindly, stubbornly sticking with it.

Jon And, of course, what turned things around was a good job, one I felt proud telling people about, and one that led to others. The domino effect has such an influence over our careers.

Dicky I just have immense pride in being part of this industry. During lockdown, the thing I missed most wasn’t theatre – it was actors.

Abi I don’t think I am the sort of actor who can’t imagine ever doing anything else. I know lots of people feel like that, however. But I can vaguely imagine myself one day doing something else, perhaps. And I don’t find that sad or scary. Still at it for now though.

"No one ever uses the term ‘failed plumber’ or ‘failed teacher’. Why are only actors described in that way?"

Dicky No one ever uses the term ‘failed plumber’ or ‘failed teacher’. Why is it only actors described thus?

Vivian Because actors are perceived as inherently narcissistic baby adults.

Jon See also ‘give up’. If someone tells you they’ve given up smoking or drinking, you congratulate them. But we’ve decided the phrase is a stigma if it’s about acting.

Abi Do you not think that we ourselves perpetuate that mindset though? The ‘failing’ thing? I don’t necessarily think that it’s attached from outside.

Jon I dunno. ‘Failed actor’ is a term that’s chucked about quite a lot if, say, someone turns up in a news story.

Abi Very true. I don’t mean it’s solely an internal thing. But I do think that the way we talk to each other, the way that a sort of value is put on us and our peers depending on what it is we are ‘up to’ – it makes it feel like if you aren’t working, it’s because you have failed in your attempts to join the proper club. I certainly think that if I decided to do something else, then I would feel sheepish about telling other actor friends. And would expect a weird sort of sympathy.

Jon When I hear that someone I like and think is good is leaving, I think my reaction is a kind of panic. Don’t want to dig too deep into that one. “But you mustn’t!”

Abi I know exactly what you mean – I have definitely had that instinctive feeling.

Vivian I think the idea of giving up is essentially wanting something to change. Whereas a career is all about change. So wanting to give up is essentially a cry against the present. People who have the same outlooks, same ambitions, same headshots as when they started off are in a way giving up, or possibly even failing, because they aren’t really being true artists that allow for growth and evolution.

Jon Love that. Stasis as failure.

Vivian I congratulate anyone who has given up. It shows a self-awareness and respect for oneself that is really pleasing.

Dicky If it’s someone from my region, then I love it. One fewer in the marketplace.

Jon Hahaha yes! All the bald, tall actors in their late 40s can absolutely start that cafe they’ve been dreaming of!

Vivian I’ve noticed that the more successful friends I have hardly ever talk about work or what they are working on. It’s like their assuredness in their job means they don’t have to justify it or tell everyone what they are up to.

Abi I think maybe imagining another life is easier depending on what your history is. I was never planning to go to drama school/be an actor until the last minute. I went to audition for the school on a sort of mission of curiosity. So I always imagined doing something else.