Leading article: Love hurts
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.What is the "worst thing that has ever happened" to the British acting profession? Was it the murder of Christopher Marlowe? Maybe the 1737 Theatrical Licensing Act, which empowered the Lord Chamberlain's Office to censor plays? Perhaps it was the Carry On films?
No; according to David Suchet the worst thing that ever happened to the thespians of these isles is the invention of the term "luvvies".
What a wonderful coinage that was. It summons up a world of pretension, self-absorption, fussiness, neediness. It suggests cliquiness and campness. And it is resonant of the loquacious hyperbole that Mr Suchet manages to demonstrate so beautifully in his little complaint. Luvvie means Laurence Olivier, Dickie Attenborough, Brian Blessed, Emma Thompson, Kenneth Branagh.
The odd thing is that Mr Suchet considers luvvie to be a derogatory term and all the characteristics named above to be undesirable. What he has not grasped is that the British, well, love their luvvies and would not have them any other way. It's a moniker of affection, not contempt. The message is clear: keep it up, darlings!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments