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Top stars must help protect cast and crew from bad behaviour, says Denise Gough

Gough, who is resuming her Olivier award-winning role in People, Places and Things, calls on those in positions of power to become allies for colleagues

Gough highlighted a new generation of producers, such as Wessex Grove, who partnered with the company Applause for Thought to facilitate mental health awareness for the cast and crew of the West End hit A Little Life, starring James Norton, which dealt with traumatic subject matter. After experiencing a run of rejections, sexism and demoralising treatment, she was on the verge of quitting acting, but then landed the life-changing role of Emma, an actor in rehab for addiction, in People, Places and Things, written by Duncan Macmillan and first co-produced by the National Theatre and Headlong in 2015. “It was very hard for it to take so long to reach financial security, because I don’t come from money,” said Gough, who has since appeared in major TV series including The Fall, Guerrilla and, in the title role, Paula, written by Conor McPherson.

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