SPRING 2017 www.equity.org.uk

Miriam Margolyes: My pride in audio work Josie Long on the Arts Emergency in education Celebrate Variety 2017

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News 18 04 Graduate Membership 06 Making Tax Digital Success stories 10 Unknown funds for charities 11 Dance sector leaps forward 08 A range of insurances that complement the established Cover star Equity cover: 14 Linden Walcott-Burden 24

14> Features • Employers’/Public Liability (when employing others and distinct from the Equity members PLI cover). 18 Arts Emergency • Sets, scenery, props and costumes. 24 Celebrate Variety 08 • Portable, technical equipment and instruments. • Hired in equipment cover. Campaigns 28 Play Fair in action • Buildings and contents. 24 • Business interruption. Key features include Plus 08 Meet the membership Competitive online quote and buy cover provided by HISCOX. • 30 Letters > • Annual or short period cover available. 32 Branch update 32>

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Vote in the union’s Christine Payne EQUITY TO SUPPORT STUDENTS General Secretary referendum WITH GRADUATE MEMBERSHIP VOTING WILL DETERMINE RULE CHANGES ABOUT ELECTIONS Equity members do not simply give advice NEW SCHEME WILL HELP STUDENTS TRANSITION FROM TRAINING INTO PROFESSIONAL WORK on what the union should be doing, they can decide what it does THE REFERENDUM IS to determine whether FROM MAY 2017 THE UNION will introduce a Graduate three of Equity’s rules should be changed. The first Membership Scheme, which unlike the current student membership will proposed change deals with Equity’s election SO WHAT WILL 2017 BRING FOR teams – and can address any weaknesses entitle graduates to the same benefits as full Equity members. processes and, if passed, would allow Equity EQUITY, the UK and the world? in the next round of negotiations. This will include: £10 million Public Liability Insurance, the ability to branches to nominate candidates for election to the Members of Equity are absolutely And please support the union’s branch access legal support and the union’s Job Information Service, plus the Council. The second would allow the Equity Council central to what we do. Equity is a trade network. Branches are a regular right to vote in union elections and participate in branch meetings. to determine the upper age limit for a member union and that means members do not opportunity for you to find out what the Graduate Membership can last for two years and the subscription cost wanting to stand for election to the Young Members simply give advice on what Equity should union is doing, to give your views to the will be 50% of the full rate. seat on Council. The third is the rule governing the be doing, you can decide what it does. It’s Council, committees and ARC. Branch “We understand the high costs of education and the many retirement of the Equity General Secretary. crucial that members have the opportunity funding now allows the branch to develop barriers young people face in entering the industry,” said Matt This is the second time this referendum has to make their voices heard and there are a professional learning or training Hood, assistant general secretary. “We want to support students been presented to the membership. Due to number of ways that can happen. opportunities for members locally. If it is to transfer from their training into working professionally.” errors in the drafting of the proposed rules the Included with this magazine is an difficult for you to attend a meeting then A further change is the creation of a student network and the Council suspended the last ballot held in invitation to attend your local Annual why not get involved in the online branch development of student deputies. November 2016. None of the votes from General Meeting (AGM). At the AGM, – see www.equity.org.uk/online-branch The network is a forum for students to meet fellow Equity members, November will be counted in this referendum. together with fellow members, elected I am currently working with members to talk to each other about any issues or problems they are facing and Your voting paper is included with this magazine or Officers and staff, we identify and discuss on the Casting Working Party to distil at to create better links between Equity and courses. This network will be you can vote online at www.equity.org.uk the challenges we are facing and look least fifteen proposals about the casting able to have a direct influence on the policy of the union by sending The poll closes at noon on 17 March 2017. for solutions. process. This working party was formed motions to Council, Equity’s governing body, about student-related If you have never been to an AGM as a result of a motion from the W&SW issues or concerns. Students have never had the ability to influence the please think about attending. The AGM’s London General Branch to the 2015 ARC. union in this way before. are an opportunity to talk about issues I completely understand why casting is The new student deputies will reflect Equity’s ‘Dep’ structure that Make a difference that affect your working life and one of the most prominent issues for currently exists in workplaces. These will be members who will act as a profession, to put a proposal to the Annual Equity members and, with the support of liaison between students on courses and the union. in the industry Representative Conference (ARC) and Council, the working party is drafting a proposals to Council and for the English Manifesto for Casting that will set out PUT YOURSELF FORWARD TO SERVE ON area AGMs to send representatives to the Equity’s vision of how the process of EQUITY’S INFLUENTIAL COMMITTEES ARC in May. casting can be made clearer, fairer and Places on all the unions committees less stressful for everyone. – industrial, national, specialist, equality Celebrate Variety 2017 is one of our Clarence Derwent Award EQUITY’S COUNCIL HAS CREATED and young members – are up for election major campaigns this year (see page 24) a structure for the union’s network of committees, this year. So also included in this magazine and came about because of a motion to the celebrates West End roles at the heart of which are three influential industrial is a nomination form for you to stand for 2016 ARC from the Variety, Circus and committees — Screen and New Media, Stage, and one – or more – of the union’s committees. Entertainers committee for a year of given annually by Equity for the best Variety, Circus and Entertainers — with the Please take the time to look at the celebration of variety to commemorate the individual male and female authority to conduct negotiations. nomination form and consider if you could 50 years since the VAF was incorporated performances in a supporting role in These committees, made up of members with contribute to any of these committees on into Equity. Variety has a very proud a West End production. recent experience of relevant work and elected by behalf of your fellow members. They history and it has a very exciting future in The UK awards date back to members, are at the forefront of improving pay and do important and valuable work for the Equity’s safe hands. What more can we do 1948 and have an illustrious history conditions for members. Supporting them are five union and together with staff change to support our professional variety of rewarding some of the most specialist committees — Audio, Dance, Singers, really does happen. entertainers who work all over the world respected names in British theatre Stage Management, and Directors and Designers. This can be seen with the recent and in all sorts of venues? The Variety, – including familiar names such There are also committees of members in re-negotiation of the Subsidised Repertory Circus & Entertainers committee and our as Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, four Agreement. The Stage committee and the Variety branches want to hear your views. THIS YEAR’S WINNERS of the . equality committees — Deaf and Disabled; Sub Rep working party have worked And of course we will be watching Clarence Derwent Awards went to It is also the occasion when Equity Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender +; incredibly hard to create a good deal for very carefully the implications of Brexit Melody Grove for her performance presents its student and young Minority Ethnic; and Women — and a Young members working in this sector (see more on our profession and industries as the as Isabella Farnese in Farinelli and member bursaries of £500 each. Members’ Committee. on page 14). However, as with every governments plans develop over the year. the King and Jonathan Broadbent/ 11 The recipients are pictured above with Please consider whether you would like to take negotiation there are swings and But we are only here to do all of this (pictured left with his wife) for his Equity President Malcolm Sinclair: this opportunity to improve the industry and put roundabouts and members had the because of your support. The end of last portrayal of Guy in My Night with Reg. Cristo Fernandez, Abby Restall, Erika your name forward. There is a nomination paper opportunity to raise concerns on the new year saw the union achieve a record The Clarence Derwent Awards are Eva and Jonathan Mathews. with this magazine or you can go online at: agreement to which members and staff membership of 41,841. Thank you for www.equity.org.uk/elections Nominations close at responded. We will genuinely monitor the your support. Thank you for giving

Phil Adams 12 noon on Friday, 12 May 2017. changes – especially to stage management Equity its voice.

04 / SPRING 2017 www.equity.org.uk SPRING 2017 / 05 FRONT OF HOUSE

“The dream bottle to buy” Lovingly distilled in In brief... -THE TIMES London AnnualEquity and Conference BECS “Stupendous gin” In 2009 we launched the first copper distillery FromThe union’s 2017 the 2015 distributions Annual of Equity -TELEGRAPH in London for nearly 200 years, on a mission to moniesRepresentative to performers Conference will be will be undertakenin London on by 17 the and union 18 May. itself, The not the bring the art of beautifully hand crafted gin back Britishdeadline Equity for motions Collecting is noon Society on to the capital where it all began. It was to mark (BECS).12 March Both and Equityfor amendments and BECS have the beginning of a gin renaissance in London. agreednoon on that 17 April.performers The 2016 need ARC a strong tradewill take union place and in an Bristol independent on 21, 22 audio-visualand 23 May. collecting society. Both We hand craft our gin in organisations will continue to work small batches with skill, care together, and Equity will continue to BBCsupport thedeal financial stability of BECS and love. Only ever taking the andThe thusunion ensure has reached that performers an in the heart of the spirit, and never UKinterim will agreementstill receive withthose the European BBC statutoryMinimum rights fees forpayments main artists to which are made from concentrate, theyup by are 2.5% entitled. and supporting Find out more artists here: UPDATE ON TAX & BENEFITS this is gin made the way it www.equity.org.uk/Equity-BECSand walk-ons fees have also been THE UNION CONTINUES TO FIGHT AGAINST PROPOSALS FOR QUARTERLY TAX used to be, the way it should increased by 1%. The agreement SUBMISSIONS AND THE UNFAIR IMPLEMENTATION OF UNIVERSAL CREDIT also includes a pre-purchase of be. The result is stunningly Annualcertain rights. accounts The deal is effective 2016 smooth, full of character and Equity’sfrom 1 October annual 2014.accounts will be sent EQUITY CONTINUES TO OPPOSE the Jobseeker’s Allowance and Tax Credits. Equity is out with the next issue of the magazine proposals by government that would compel particularly concerned about the impact of the exploding with flavour. and will be available at the upcoming members to make quarterly submissions to Minimum Income Floor (MIF), which is, in most ExhibitAGMs. They areB alsoshow available to HMRC of their income and expenditure using cases, an assumed income from self-employment downloadEquity strongly from theopposes website at: HMRC-approved software. This is known as based on the National Living Wage x 35 hours a www.equity.org.uk/accounts2016censorship and is extremely Making Tax Digital (MTD). week, irrespective of your actual income. concerned that this show Members have been giving their input during This has already resulted at members getting was forced to close. The union’s the consultation period on these proposals and nil awards of benefit during a month when they Memberconsistent position of is the that it VAF? the union is continuing to lobby strongly for had zero earnings. The union is lobbying strongly Equity’s Los Angeles Advert-Jan 2017.indd 1 24/01/2017 14:24 2017supports is the artistic 50th anniversary freedom of the changes to what is proposed. As soon as the for the MIF to be revisited and is working closely Varietyof expression. Artistes’ Federation (VAF) final form of the proposals is known, Equity will with other organisations. Equity will be asking being incorporated into Equity, which explain to members what further action it will be for members’ help in lobbying on this issue and happened on 16 May 1967. Equity is taking. Find out more about Making Tax Digital more information will be available in Tax and Pobolorganising yan Cwmevent in London award to at: www.equity.org.uk/MTD Welfare section of the Equity website. For more commemorateWelsh soap opera this Pobol anniversary y Cwm and is The union is also lobbying government in help, the Tax and Welfare Helpline runs on lookinghas received to contact a special any Bafta former regards to Universal Credit. This replaces a Mondays and Thursdays from 10am-1pm and membershonouring of the the show’s VAF. All40th those range of means-tested benefits including 2pm-5pm on 0207 670 0223. membersanniversary. who The actually award transferred was in 1967presented should at alreadyan event be at on Roath our list, but otherLock Studiosmembers in hadCardiff dual membershipBay. ofHannah both unions Raybould, and thereforedirector of did not transfer.Bafta Cymru, If you presented were ever the a member of theaccolade VAF thento actor please Gareth contact Lewis, Mike Day onwho [email protected] accepted it on behalf so of thatthe we castcan giveand youcrew. details of the event.

StopUS network Arts Cuts AsEquity’s the magazine West Coast was network going to in press, the newsUS is ofhaving arts cuts an event in Bristol to connect and Bath waswith breaking. fellow members Members living in the or South Westworking please in Los support Angeles your or local nearby. branch inIt willresisting take placethese onlocal 5 November, government cuts.7.30pm A march – 10.30pm against and austerity the venue is plannedis Timmy in Nolan’s Bristol bar on 21on February.Riverside FindDrive, Bristol CA 91602. & West General branch on twitter here: @Equity_BS_West

06 / SPRING 2017 www.equity.org.uk SPRING 2017 / 23 MEET THE MEMBERSHIP Voicing an OPINION Miriam Margolyes has enjoyed a successful career on stage and screen, but she has a great love for audio work. Here, she reveals her tips on how to make it in this sector

Photography Debra Hurford Brown

When did your career begin in audio? animation, you have nothing but your voice to work with. They I started in radio for the BBC in 1965 when I joined give you a drawing and a piece of direction, but everything Q the BBC Drama Repertory Company. It was a about the character has got to come from the voice. company of around 40 actors at that point. It’s considerably reduced now, but it still exists. It remains a very good job to What advice would you give for someone wanting have because it gives you a foundation in radio technique and to work in the audio sector? how to use a microphone. I was able to work with a lot of Q You need to listen and observe. Listen to audiobooks, wonderful actors such as Paul Scofield and Claire Bloom at a listen to commercials, do it critically and practise on your own. time when radio was very popular. It appears to be on its way Record yourself. Hear whether you are sounding nasal, whether back, but radio work has been in the shadows for many years. your ‘S’ sounds are not good enough, whether they are sibilant, for example. Explore the lower registers of your voice, watch How healthy is the audio sector? your consonants and keep the energy going to the end of the The whole area of voice work has enormously sentence. If you are reading an audiobook, you have to be able Q increased since I started. It isn’t just BBC radio to control your breathing so that it is not heard on the mic. drama, it’s commercials, audiobooks; there’s commentaries; In terms of finding work, I think you have to make a voice reel there’s feature animations, video games and lectures. I think and go around the voice agents. You can also listen to people can make a living working just with their voice. But you commercials and find out if there’s a particular director or a have to be good and it isn’t the case that every actor can do commercial that you enjoy and write to them. It’s a really voice work. It is a particular skill. For example, you need to be rewarding area to work in. able to time a piece of text so that if you are asked to do it in 30 seconds, you can do it. There are irritations, which I know Equity is looking at, such as pay rate agreements. I also find the issue of the engineer and director a problem. If the company is Get our guide to audio not providing a director then that should be reflected in the pay as it means the actor is taking on extra work. A GUIDE TO AUDIO WORK has been compiled by Do you think audio work should get members of Equity’s Audio Committee who are more respect? experienced audio artists. It covers subjects such as Q I believe that recording an audiobook is the highest ADR (automated dialogue replacement), audiobooks, and most difficult test for any actor. I also think that my voice commercials, radio drama and video work is some of the best performances I’ve ever done. games. It aims to provide a background I’m extremely proud of Sue Townsend’s The Queen to the major areas of work in and I audiobook, for which I won an award. I played this sector and answer all the members of the Royal Family and told the story. frequently asked questions I also loved recording in its entirety. such as ‘Is it necessary to have Dickens’ novels or any classic books are very testing. a dedicated voice agent?’ and When you are working on an audiobook, you ‘Do I need a home studio?’ concentrate on talking to one person, to nourish their Download the guide from: imagination. Audio work does require particular skills. www.equity.org.uk/AudioGuide

Interview: Phil Pemberton Image: Camera Press London Interview: Phil Pemberton For example, if you are creating a character in a feature

08 / SPRING 2017 www.equity.org.uk SPRING 2017 / 09 SUCCESS STORIES

Equity members and staff mixed with politicians in the The Fit to Dance annual event that puts the entertainment Charter has been industry on the political agenda very successful and is looking for new venues”

UNKNOWN FUNDS PROVIDE DANCE SECTOR LEAPS FORWARD CHARITY BOOST THE UNION HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS TO SUPPORT DANCERS AMICABLE SETTLEMENT OF HIGH COURT CASE WILL BENEFIT INDUSTRY CHARITIES MORE THAN 60 PEOPLE from across the dance industry came of Dance Captain should ask a series of questions before agreeing together in October to attend an event entitled Sharing Excellence in to take the position. The guidelines and list of questions are available THREE LEADING INDUSTRY CHARITIES have Dance Management, an Equity initiative jointly hosted by the Independent to download from: www.equity.org.uk/dance received six-figure donations as part of the settlement of Equity’s Theatre Council and One Dance UK. The event was a key stage in For more details, contact Virginia Wilde on [email protected] ‘unknown funds’ case. Approximately £1m was discovered in Equity’s effort to encourage take-up of the ITC Ethical Manager Equity’s accounts in 2005 and despite extensive research, Performers Agreement among subsidised dance companies, in a bid to THE DANCE PASSPORT has been boosted as Equity will be which included a team of forensic accountants, the source of improve conditions for our members working in this sector. part of a steering group led by EuroFIA to reignite the long-standing the money has never been accurately discovered. A high court Dance Passport Scheme. The scheme allows dancers and judgment has settled the issue and Denville Hall, the Royal THE DANCE COMMITTEE has created a guide choreographers who are paid-up union members in their home Theatrical Fund (RTF) and the Royal Variety Charity (RVC) will entitled Right to Rest to assist members in country to access local union support services while travelling in benefit. Commentating on the funds, Giles Cooper, RVC understanding the complex area of paid holidays. any European country where there is a participating union. The chairman, said: “This will be put to such good use by the charity”. The guide has been devised for dancers but it will rejuvenation of the scheme is being funded through the Alison Spencer from The RTF wanted Equity to know: “How be useful to other performers, employers and European Commission. important this donation will be” and Lalla Ward, chair of Denville professionals throughout the sector. Download it Hall said: “I’m ecstatic, this will make a huge difference to us”. from: www.equity.org.uk/dance THE FIT TO DANCE CHARTER has been very successful and is looking for new venues. In 2016 DANCE CAPTAIN GUIDELINES have been Equity and One Dance UK joined forces to develop a produced following members’ concern about the new minimum standard for dance audition and rehearsal duties a Dance Captain is expected to undertake. spaces across the UK. If you know a great local venue, ask Members visit Parliament The union also advises that anyone offered the role them to register by emailing [email protected] to put the case for the arts

BREXIT, MAKING TAX DIGITAL AND THE UNION’S PLAY FAIR CAMPAIGN WERE ON THE AGENDA AT PARLIAMENTARY EVENT Industry joins together to Praising West End Deps MORE THAN 60 MPS AND PEERS came along to the Performers Alliance Reception at the House of Commons in December. Equity members discuss bullying took the opportunity to lobby them on a number of issues including the EQUITY WELCOMED MORE THAN 50 DEPUTIES union’s Play Fair Campaign, Making Tax Digital and Brexit. In November, Equity as part of the Federation of to the Duke of York’s Theatre to thank them for their Alison McGovern MP formally hosted the reception on behalf of Equity Entertainment Unions (FEU) brought together HR work on behalf of members. Abiola Ogunbiyi, the and Matt Hancock, minister for digital and culture policy spoke on behalf of staff from across the industry to focus on positive union’s Young Members’ Councillor and frequent the government, while Tom Watson MP returned for the Labour Shadow strategies to combat bullying. FEU research shows ‘deputy’ introduced the event that was hosted by Ian Culture team. also came to the event and spoke from the bullying is rife. That is why it set up Creating without McKellen. Ian spoke about his work in theatre and the podium, while Equity member Amy Lamé attended in her capacity as the Conflict to rebut the myth that artists should expect Industry experts attended from benefits of a unified voice in dealing with employers. newly appointed London Night Czar. to suffer if they want to achieve a higher level. RSC, National Theatre, ITV, BBC If you are interested in being an Equity Dep, contact Members of the English National Opera (ENO) chorus gave a surprise More information at: www.equity.org.uk/bullying and producers’ body PACT Caitlin Dunham on [email protected] performance during the event to thank parliamentarians for their support

Phil Adams, Jess Hurd during their dispute with the ENO in 2016.

10 / SPRING 2017 www.equity.org.uk www.equity.org.uk SPRING 2017 / 11 The Evelyn Norris Trust Member offers Was established in 1968 to provide financial support for members of the theatrical and concert Equity membership entitles you to a wide variety of discounts, from photos to the professions who are in Phoenix club; see below for a selection. Go online for a full list: www.equity.org.uk/discounts need of rest, recovery or a recuperative holiday.

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You need For information on • BA (Hons) Opera Studies Equity members who are required by HM contact Kit at: 020 7112 8499. to show a valid Equity card as proof when you (part-time, online learning) how to apply you can either contact Revenue & Customs to submit a return. Equity www.hckphotography.co.uk/equityoffer arrive at the restaurant. • BA (Hons) Theatre Studies [email protected]. (part-time, online learning) members receive an exclusive 20% discount Scotland-based photographer Aly Wight is ring us on 0207 831 1926 • Postgraduate Certificate in Learning off the normal fixed fee of £250. A further offering a 10% discount off headshots and stage newspaper and Teaching in HE: Theatre and or visit our website 10% discount is available to members for location shots to members, see www.alywight.com Equity members can have 10 per cent off an Performing Arts (PGCLTHE) referrals. We also offer self-employed annual subscription. 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12 / SPRING 2017 www.equity.org.uk SPRING 2017 / 13 SUB REP

If actors cannot The art in the survive from the money they earn, we are going to lose them and have an industry that only has performers from wealthy DEAL backgrounds” The new Sub Rep Agreement is a landmark settlement that will deliver at least £1 million of extra pay to members by 2019. It was achieved by union staff working with members and, here, an actor and stage manager talk about how the deal was done

Photography Paul Stuart and Phil Adams

LINDEN WALCOTT-BURTON – ACTOR

When we consulted with members about a new and that everyone, every demographic, deserves Sub Rep deal, the overwhelming response was: to have a say. I feel working class young people and “We need more money”. I know so many young, up ethnic minorities in particular do not have enough and coming actors who either have to leave the of an influence in the power structures of politics and industry well before their time or have to move out of the arts, which is one of the main reasons I wanted London and the big cities because they can’t afford to to put myself forward. live there anymore. Others have to stay with their parents for an extended amount of time because they It was really interesting to see how negotiations cannot live off the wages they have been getting. work – it is not a simple process. There is a fantastic If actors cannot survive from the money they earn, range of people on the Stage Committee, from those we are either going to lose them or have an industry who have been involved in negotiations many times to that only has performers from wealthy backgrounds. newcomers like myself. There is also a breadth of None of us want it to be that way. experience of working within the industry itself. This So the pay increase is easily the most important is a great help in reflecting the concerns of the wider thing about the package. But we have not given membership. But it was very tough at times, because everything else up for those higher fees. I also believe you are trying to please so many people and everyone the new equality clause is really important. It wants to gain, nobody wants to lose. encourages employers to be more diverse in their When discussing issues such as Sunday payments casting. Of course, it’s not going to solve everything and debating whether it could be £30, £40 or £50 you overnight, but it is a step in the right direction and know it is not just an empty debate, but something that one which we should celebrate. will affect members’ standard of living. I believe the majority of people will be pleased with this agreement, I got involved in Equity Stage Committee because I but for those who are not, why not stand for election believe it’s important for everyone to be represented and get involved in making these decisions? >

14 / SPRING 2017 www.equity.org.uk SUB REP

The agreement FIONA MOTT – STAGE MANAGER has been I have worked in stage management for more than industry is moving towards, without it having detrimental 30 years and the majority of my employment has been effects on our members, or compromising health and safety. continually in sub rep theatre. I spent the early part of my career with the Library Theatre Company in Manchester, moving on For stage managers, the difficult issues surrounded the adapted and it to the Oldham Coliseum for three and a half years and size of the stage management team and Sunday I was at Leicester Haymarket for ten years. I’m just about working. In practise, managers were reducing the will need to to start a job at Birmingham Rep, so I will be test-driving core three-person SM team and members were rarely the new agreement. questioning it. The new agreement says the SM team will change again normally consist of three, and where there’s a variation the This is the fifth time I have been involved in negotiating managers will have to inform Equity, along with the for the next an agreement and this was probably the most difficult. reason for the change. The new agreement commits The employers and ourselves were initially so far apart – it Equity to proactively monitoring Stage Management negotiations” was tough for everybody. It was about trying to find the levels, with a review of how the new clause is working at middle ground and secure a deal that we felt favoured us. the end of the 21 month duration of the agreement, but it The talks are complicated by the fact that the industry also needs stage managers to be proactive in alerting has changed, and is changing. There are not many sub Equity where there is any variation to the norm. reps that work in the traditional repertory way. The Liverpool Everyman is trialling that approach again, This deal is a great step forward. It guarantees but there are very few rep theatres that produce a full significant salary increases. I think it will mean that stage season of their own work, let alone with the same managers will no longer have to think: “I need to work a company of actors. 50-hour week and every Sunday I can just to cover my rent.” The original Sub Rep Agreement has been continually It’s important to add that the four Stage Management adapted as the business evolves and it will undoubtedly members on the working party (all of whom have recent need to change again for the next negotiations. experience of working in sub rep) felt 100% supported We aimed to modernise the agreement in the way the by every performer alongside them and the offer was only union itself has modernised over the past ten years and put to ballot when every member of the working party make it a deal that reflects the patterns of work that the was in agreement.

Highlights from the new Sub Rep agreement DEAL INCLUDES PAY RISES ACROSS THE BOARD AND HIGHER PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS

THE NEW SUBSIDISED actually taken home. Thus, the protect the work/life balance. THEATRE AGREEMENT working party of elected activists In exchange, we have working represents a remarkable success and working deputies put together days that reflect how subsidised for Equity, and is a landmark a claim with the guaranteed weekly theatres produce today, plus achievement in terms of developing salary at its heart. Highlights of the changes in hours of work to support a set of terms and conditions fit agreement include: touring and a restructure of some for the 21st century. Our claim A short agreement, delivering payments including the payment for was reached after extensive improvements over just 21 months performances on Sunday. consultation over a period of Rises in minimum pay for The final package was agreed by almost two years – including focus performers of 12.5% (£50 a week in members who had worked on the groups, cast visits and a survey real terms for most) agreement since 2010 via an online of all performers and stage Stage management pay rises ballot in December 2016. management who have worked ranging from 9.5% to 13% (again, Full details of the new on the agreement since 2010. around £50 a week for most) agreement are available on the Members gave clear direction that An additional 2% a week Equity website, and any with the massive decline in rep contributed by managers to all questions about the deal can working, many of the overtime and artists’ pension schemes be answered by Paul additional payments were simply Improvements in rates of Fleming, Live Performance being ‘managed out’ by theatres, overtime (including double time for Organiser, via email: reducing the size of the wages missed breaks) to help better [email protected]

16 / SPRING 2017 www.equity.org.uk SPRING 2017 / 17 ARTS EMERGENCY The Arts Emergency service is already beyond capacity. It has funding for 40 places, but it is offering 120 this year Studying the arts should not be a luxury Comedian Josie Long is the co-founder of Arts Emergency, a charity that aims to provide arts education and mentoring to those least able to access or afford it

Photography Idil Sukan

y friend Neil Griffiths and I set up Arts Emergency together and in June 2013 officially registered as a charity. It has been growing steadily ever since. But before I tell you about what Arts Emergency is and does, I think it’s as important to tell you why we wantedM to do something in the first place. We believe that it’s not a luxury to study the arts. The arts have massive and obvious value for society: Arts degrees teach people to think critically, further human knowledge and deepen our understanding of who we are, and who other people are. Theatre and film broaden our experience and enlighten us. Altogether, the arts make our lives more wonderful and more worth living. We believe those things are desperately important – now more than ever before. We also believe some things do not have a ‘£’ attached to them. We believe some things should not because economic advance is not the same thing as human progress. We believe it’s completely unjust that children born into wealth are leaving university debt-free and going on to lead in every aspect of our culture, while their equally talented counterparts from low-income families begin adult life with £50,000 plus of debt and no clear way to make a breakthrough. It’s not easy for anyone from any background now, but this just makes it even harder again for those with less. Finally, we believe, indeed we now know, that looming debt and lack of

18 / SPRING 2017 www.equity.org.uk SPRING 2017 / 19 ARTS EMERGENCY

Real social mobility is hard. If you don’t know any graduates or professionals, how do you achieve it?

knowledge and contacts affects the type needed so, so much. We meet young demand. Remember, just 800 people of degree less wealthy young people people one to one, talk about what give us a fiver a month – really the choose – if it does not deter them they love to do, what they want to be service we actually do run is already way entirely. That size of debt changes the one day, and find them a trained mentor beyond capacity – we have actual way people view degrees – it makes it in that area and set them to planning funding for around 40 places, but we are feel like a financial trade-off when that how to do it. offering 120 this year. It could and amount is three or more times what Not just this though, we have built an should be nearer 500 or 1,000! your family lives off in a year. entire alternative ‘old boy’ network of We need serious funding to scale this Real social mobility is hard, and people from every walk of life, doing up. The services have been tested and many young people lack support and every kind of creative or critical job you reviewed and improved dramatically knowledge. The arts in state schools are can imagine, and that network is over three years now. We have featured increasingly non-existent now, careers completely open to the young person in every major press outlet from ID advice the same, and university is an and their mentor to make hay with. Magazine to The Sunday Times, from expensive mystery. If you don’t know any Not even just this though. After a year the New Statesman to Mix Mag. We graduates or professionals, how do you with a mentor, that young person is still have got more than 4,000 people from know how to do it? able to use our network until they are 24 across the arts pledging time, contacts It feels like baby-boomers have – for all kinds of things from help with and skills and we have got hundreds of pulled the ladder up and left the least homework, to uni applications, to young people waiting to use that. well off young people completely cut out audition coaching, work experience, What we need is regular, reliable, of mainstream education and culture. backstage visits, feedback on music or monthly or yearly donations that allow But a generation before, they were writing. So many things change between us to go out and cash in this potential changing the world! People from every 16 and 24 and we want them to use us for society’s most sidelined generation. walk of life revolutionised music, comedy, before uni, throughout it, and especially Recently, the director of one of the art, theatre, poetry, TV, film, radio, even after – when a whole new lot of benefits county’s most prestigious art schools journalism and politics. Of course, they will come from having these connections. pledged 10% of their salary to Arts had at that time free higher education, It’s called privilege. It’s called cultural Emergency for the next three years. We and society valued lifelong learning and capital. We are passing ours on, no are looking for other people in that creativity as a public good, not a frivolous strings and saying to young people this position, who recognise just how powerful extra – and now it’s the opposite. world is yours to change. Eight hundred this idea is, to back us in similar ways. We wanted to do something really people donate around a fiver every practical and positive so first off, we went month and with that we’re working with and had conversations with lots of young 20 schools in London and Manchester. people in Hackney where we are based. Sadly, we are overwhelmed with Give your support It was clear they needed proper personal applicants from kids who really want support to kick back against the cuts. and need this. Many more than we can They needed to feel part of something responsibly handle. As well, every week THERE IS DEMAND across bigger than themselves, and they needed young people and teachers are getting the UK for the mentoring and people in the know to give them a leg up in touch from around the country speaker services, so get in and show them that they can seriously asking us to set up near them too. touch if you can offer your aim high and do what they want to do. Most arts and education charities help or support Arts So we invented our charity: struggle to gain interest and applications Emergency with a monthly Arts Emergency. for their programmes, some even pay donation. Their work is 100% Nothing but good comes of what kids to come along. But here we are funded by members of the public. we do – this is positive countervailing turning them away because we just http://arts-emergency.org/donate pressure and practical support that is cannot grow quick enough to meet the www.equity.org.uk SPRING 2017 / 21 IN APPRECIATION

Graeme Cruickshank KEN BENNETT-HUNTER REMEMBERS THE STAGE MANAGER WHO SELFLESSLY SERVED HIS FELLOW MEMBERS IN MANY ROLES INCLUDING THE EQUITY COUNCIL AND THE SMA

raeme Cruickshank, who died in December aged 85, was from a generation of stage managers and technicians whose careers covered major changes in theatre practice and Gwho were key to improving pay, standards and working conditions for backstage workers. As an active Equity member he made a significant contribution to these developments by serving on a number of Equity committees and by representing stage managers on the Equity Council from 1975 to 1980. For many years he was also a member of the Committee of the Stage Management Association and for a while was its deputy chairman (he later commented on the choice Graeme had a great interest in theatre history and he of title for this post, observing that “stage managers don’t was a vice-president of the Society for Theatre Research have vices”). and an active member of the Association of British Graeme was born in Wembley in 1932 and, after Theatre Technicians’ Historical Research Committee and National Service in the RAF, in 1954 he became a valuer the British Music Hall Society’s Study Group. He wrote with a firm of philatelic auctioneers but also acted with a and lectured on many aspects of British theatre and number of amateur dramatic groups. In 1959, taking a music hall history. For 18 years he was chairman and considerable salary cut, he made his professional debut as subsequently life president of Equity’s Save London’s actor and assistant stage manager with the Penguin Theatre Campaign, and served as a trustee of the Players at the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea. For Theatres Trust for nine years. the next four years he worked regularly in repertory Rupert Rhymes writes: “During my time chairing the Theatres Trust it was always a delight to find Graeme as part of the Save London’s Theatres delegation at our Listen to the magazine periodic meetings. Whilst his colleagues brought much passion, it was Graeme who brought the knowledge and Graeme has truly been sagacity which could be effectively used - and he was always good company!” someone who has held Mhora Samuel, former director of the Theatres Trust, adds: “Without SLTC’s early campaigning, there would If you, or a fellow member, a light that people have been no Theatres Trust, as it fought to secure the has difficulty in reading printed future of many theatres in the West End that make wanted to follow” Theatreland so successful today. The Theatres Trust material the Equity magazine ensures it has a legacy.” is also available as an audio Graeme was one of the first recipients of the SMA Golden Headset Award. In June 2008, he and file on CD or data stick. companies as actor and then stage manager. He also his wife, Joy, were among the first five recipients. appeared as an extra and in small parts on a number of His citation read: To receive it, contact the RNIB via: television programmes. “Graeme was always a joy to work with. The perfect In 1963 he first became a company and stage manager CSM: quiet, fair and amusing. Everything happened Donna Gordon, [email protected] (still often also appearing as an actor). This was a role he without any fuss. Graeme has truly been someone who 01733 375106 was to fulfil on many productions on tour and in the West has held a light that people wanted to follow and his End until he retired in 1990. From 1967 to 1970 he was knowledge and ability to convey it to others is enviable.” engaged by Frank Hauser’s Playhouse Company In his suit and trademark bow tie Graeme remained (Meadow Players). Early West End work included Behind a familiar figure at theatre events until he and Joy moved the Fridge with Peter Cook and Dudley Moore (1972) and to New Zealand in 2009. George Gershwin’s Oh Kay! (1973). His last show as company manager was Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the (John) Graeme Cruickshank was born on 25 August, 1932 Ambassadors in 1990. and died on 8 December 2016 aged 85.

22 / SPRING 2017 www.equity.org.uk SPRING 2017 / 23 VARIETY

Celebrating VARIETY Equity will be celebrating Variety throughout 2017. Performers Yvonne Joseph and Dan Shelton explain the past and present of the sector as we launch a guide to contracts

Photography Phil Adams

Variety has a fascinating history and a vibrant future. The union will be celebrating the sector throughout 2017 and promoting the advice and support we offer for those who work in it. One of the showpiece events of this initiative will be an event on 16 May. The union will be commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Variety Artistes’ Federation being incorporated into Equity, which happened on 16 May 1967, at a special occasion at the London Palladium. >

24 / SPRING 2017 www.equity.org.uk SPRING 2017 / 25 VARIETY

DAN SHELTON Get the guide to contracts I started as a street entertainer in the ‘90s, learned circus from my Work issues friends that were all touring performers and began working at festivals as part of a troupe. When I was performing as a stilt walker and remain very barker for a venue they refused to pay me, I got in touch with Equity and that sparked my interest in how the union worked in the variety sector. similar: getting the I’ve worked in lots of different situations from corporate events to family festivals through to warehouse parties. On the surface this can contract right and seem very different from a traditional variety setting of a theatre or club, but the fundamentals are the same. There is still a venue, the booking collecting the fee” and someone paying you for your work. Performers need to remember that a verbal contract is not good enough. Probably the most recurrent problem the union deals with in respect of variety performers is the lack of a contract. Members need to sort the details of the booking out before it takes place to avoid problems later. Download the latest guide to AS PART OF CELEBRATE VARIETY 2017 the union has contracts the union has created for Celebrate Variety 2017 (right) and if created a guide to contracts for this sector. The purpose of you are in any doubt about the details of a booking, contact Equity. the guide is to assist members who make contracts directly It can be quite lonely out there if you are working a lot. The more with companies or individuals to provide their entertainment involved you get with the branches and the Equity community, that’s services mainly for one-off dates. This will include vocalists, where you can get support. I think social media is a great tool in children’s entertainers, comedians, circus performers, connecting people. Whether you are doing a gig in Dubai, on the road magicians and basically anyone who performs their act in the UK or on a cruise ship. I’m really passionate about having a peer in return for a fee. The majority of variety members work chatroom where performers can discuss issues such as contracts or in this way and this guide highlights some important dressing rooms and I have set up a facebook page for this purpose. I am considerations when taking bookings to minimise potential also interested in using the #IamVariety on Twitter to show the breadth problems. Download it from Equity’s website via: of work that members are involved in. www.equity.org.uk/ContractsGuide With Equity staff I’ve been visiting various education institutions that teach drama, circus and performance, talking to young people about the union. I speak about the tradition of variety and how it has developed. It’s great that we have separate identities for comedians, for dancers, for circus performers etc. They have their individual voices, but as a collective we have one united voice. I think that if we can reach out to our older and younger members through initiatives such as Celebrate Variety 2017 then we’re combining our past with the present to make a future together.

Celebrate Variety is combining our YVONNE JOSEPH past with the

The world of variety has changed in many ways since the form began, work abroad where they are appreciated more. The issues at work have present to make a and in my time as a performer, but there are fundamentals that remained very similar during my time. Problems around contracts, remain the same. Variety artists were given that name by the music hall making sure performers get the right deal and details into their contract future together” in the 19th century because of the variety of acts on the bill. It subsequently and ensuring bookers pay the fee! evolved into variety theatre and then it went to clubs and cabaret. However, I will be sharing some fond memories at the Variety Artists the 1990s saw a drop off in variety jobs, there was still the working men’s Federation celebration in May. We will remember some brilliant clubs but they were getting less popular and then the smoking ban badly summer seasons and the great fun we have all had in pantomimes. I will affected them. But I have seen a resurgence in work in recent years. This is think about singing on stage in Falkirk when I was ten-years-old, getting a through the restaurant and wine bar scene, the rise of music and other standing ovation and people wanting my autograph at the stage door. types of festivals, plus the popularity of cruise ships has been astonishing. When I asked my mum how I had done, she simply said: “Fine”. She was Variety acts come in and out of fashion. Speciality acts are difficult to see right to downplay it as you need to keep your feet on the ground in this now in the UK. I think we have some great performers but they tend to business as it can be very tough at times.

26 / SPRING 2017 www.equity.org.uk THE PRESIDENT WRITES Letters... investment is also threatened because word has gone out that if certain cities fail in their obligations to their own artistic communities, for the National Theatre of Slovenia, or as the Arts and Minds to grow from strength to strength and we’ll other cities who maintain that support will star turn at a Branch Scratch entertainment also create a National Music Endowment be favoured by the Arts Council, an incentive, Get in touch night, Tania gave it her all. She will be sadly I was impressed to learn about Equity’s Arts Fund for young people. it is hoped, to persuade city councils to think missed by her Equity friends. We send our and Minds initiative, which seeks to raise We will also continue the ground breaking very carefully about their plans. Have you got something to say about heartfelt condolences to her family and large awareness of mental wellbeing in the Arts in Creative Learning programme for Equity is seeking to meet with Bristol’s your experience of Equity or the circle of friends and admirers. entertainment sector. schools, based on the recommendations new mayor but these battles can only be contents of the magazine? Andrew Macbean In Wales, culture is at the core of our made by Professor Dai Smith. won if local members get the fight going. We want to hear from you. promotion of good emotional health. It’s This suite of measures, delivered in Headquarters can then lend logistical something I’m especially passionate about, partnership with the Arts Council of Wales support and heavyweight fire power, and Please email or write to the editor via the Shouting in the Evenings as I struggled with Generalised Anxiety and others, demonstrates that in Wales there hopefully those that need persuading can contact information below: Disorder in my youth, but harnessed the arts is a genuine belief in the power of the arts to be persuaded. But if there is no local I have just finished reading James Hayes’ to help overcome it. improve lives. campaigning it is very difficult for London The Editor wonderful and extremely entertaining memoir The Welsh Government that I am part of Ken Skates AM. Cabinet Secretary HQ to expect to have any success in Guild House of his 50 years (and counting) on the stage, will deliver a Labour manifesto that promises for Economy and Infrastructure ‘interfering’ in local matters. Fortunately, Upper St Martin’s Lane Shouting in the Evenings (published by a new Wales Wellbeing Bond, investing in Welsh Government members in the South West are leading London WC2H 9EG Matador). I would love to recommend it to all activities that improve the physical and FIRST OF ALL A HAPPY NEW YEAR the fight – unlike some local artistic Tel: 020 7379 6000 Equity members. Jimmy’s career is entwined mental health of people. – a lot of us are hoping for a kinder 2017 leaders who seem to want to ‘manage’ the Fax: 020 7379 7001 with the genesis and development of the We also intend developing a Social Michael Napier- Brown than 2016 turned out to be. cuts, rather than fight them. Those of you Email: [email protected] National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Prescription for preventing and treating So bad news first. Arts cuts. This has a in the South West: go to your local Web: www.equity.org.uk Company, and, it would seem, almost every illness through addressing its causes. For Though sad to read of Michael’s death, it far too familiar ring, I know, but if things branches and get stuck in. Please contact theatre in between. He has worked with almost example, evidence shows that using cultural brought back very happy memories of weekly were bad before, I’m afraid they are going to your local councillors and MPs. Even if you all of the great artistes of our time, not a activity to tackle loneliness can help prevent rep in The Penguin Players in Bexhill-on-Sea. get a lot worse. The bad news comes from don’t have a BS or BA postcode but have Tania Foley coincidence if you ask him. This warm-hearted, mental illness and extend life expectancy. Richard Burnett, who ran it, was looking for a two of our great cities, Bristol and Bath. Two worked, trained or had a connection with often outrageous and occasionally insightful Therefore, to enhance the Social young girl to play the lead in a new play and great centres of theatre and music: shows of either city please voice your opposition. It is with great sadness that I learned of the account of an actor’s life is not to be missed. I Prescription and Wales Wellbeing Bond, we suggested I audition. I got the part and had the all kinds. As I write, both councils are in the Now some good news: there is a new sudden death on 15 January of Tania Foley. say ‘occasionally’ to keep his feet on the will develop a national strategy for loneliness huge joy of being directed by Michael. He was ‘consultation period’ on cuts to their arts Sub Rep Agreement, and it is good. I know Tania was just 39 years old. Her radiance, ground as he addresses the second half- and isolation. The arts will be crucially so helpful, funny & taught me so much in that her spirit, and her optimism shone through century of his career. Hilarious and honest, important in this. week of rehearsals, Those were the days of right up to her Facebook posts just hours Jimmy tells the story ‘from Limerick to London, We will create a new Challenge Fund for nurturing young players, including getting me before her death. She was recovering from from Barrow to Beijing, from Stratford to community arts groups to widen access, utilise started on Equity membership. I know of other a bout of pneumonia but complications set Shanghai’. Do check it out! online crowd funding and support new talent. actors who benefitted from Michael’s talent and ‘Arts cuts’ has a far too familiar ring in and overcame her. Tania was a working Joseph Kloska A new body, Creative Wales, will be generosity, which I have never forgotten. actor with a rare generosity of spirit that formed specifically for the creative industries Jenny McCracken and the latest bad news on funding made her memorable. She was an active Equity member and enthusiastic supporter comes from two of our great cities: of her local branch. During her time on the branch committee she set up and ran an Bristol and Bath” extensive programme of rehearsed readings In memoriam with London fringe theatres for members of the WSW London Equity branch. These With regret it is recorded that since the publication of the last edition of Equity funding: Bath by 100% by 2020, Bristol by there are great worries about Sunday gave opportunities for literally hundreds of magazine we have learned of the deaths of the following members: 26% by 2022. Of course, we know that the working, all of which the working party branch members. Whether it was as a Jean Alexander, Julia Allton, Geoffrey Annis, Gillian Ashby, Faith Lawrence, Ronald Leishman, Monica Lewis, Patricia Lines, financial position of local councils is dire shared, but we think we have those Christmas elf in Santa’s grotto, as the Margaret Ashcroft, Coral R Atkins, Stuart Barren, Hagan Beggs, Ian S Liston, Mandelea, Jill Martin, Melody Martin, John T Martin, because of policy dictated by central concerns covered and we will review it in elegant Lady Chiltern in An Ideal Husband Kenneth Besant-Sheppard, Margaret Brough, Betty Broughton, Reg Bruno Martino, Mildred Mayne, George Michael, Stuart Mungall, government. But we still oppose cuts, two years’ time. Brown, Ricky Callan, Jean Carlin, John (Parker) Carson, Sarah Robert Myler, Audrey Noble, Katrina Norbury, Zara Nutley, Russell because the losses inflicted can often never The working process to get where we Carter, Dave Cash, Yvette Chauvire, Peter Clayton, Leonard Cohen, Oberlin, Herbert Of Liverpool, Colin Paris, Anne Pashley, Delia be rebuilt, but also, and perhaps more are was a model of how things should be Betty Colin, Dennis Collins, Vernon Conway, Mary Courtney, Adrian Paton, James Perry, Pierre Picton, Jeffrey Piddock, Claire M Porter, persuasively, cuts to a city’s artistic done; members and staff collaborating to Cowdry, Jon Croft, Noel Crowder, Graeme Cruickshank, Deddie Michael Powell-Jones, Dai Protheroe, Om Puri, Debbie Reynolds, provision damages the economic wellbeing make sure all avenues were covered. There Davies, Johnny Dennis, Brian Harvey Dickinson, Hazel Douglas, Gary Rice, Iain Robinson, Thomas Round, Andrew Sachs, Patrick of city life. A flourishing arts scene attracts were late email flurries about Sunday Juliet Duncan, Rosemarie Dunham, Magdalen Egerton, Ann Emery, Sanders, Ana-Raquel Satre, Amanda Saville, Ivon Sawtell, Sylvia business of all sorts, resulting in working and the position and responsibilities Amanda Fairclough, Marilyn Finlay, Carrie Fisher, Paddy Fletcher, Shields, Jacqueline Skarvellis, , Nickola Sterne, Ian continuing inward investment. of stage management, but all doubts were Tania Foley, Elizabeth Forbes, Bernard Mitchell Fox, Clive Fryde, Mackenzie Stewart, Alan Stuart, Peter Sumner, Peter Thomas, The councils’ published plans also reveal ultimately satisfied. Job done. Gordon Fulton, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Bernard Gallagher (i), Joy Garbett Angela Thornton, Harry Toseland, Steve Truglia, Peter Vaughan, an emphasis on community participation And finally 2017 is the Year of Variety. Valerie Gaunt, Colin George, Michele E Gerbola, Tufty Gordon, Robert Vaughn, Bobby Vee, James Victor, James Walker, Jo Warne, Rosamund Gray, Valerie Griffiths, Sheila Hamilton, Steve rather than professional provision, which It is 111 years since the foundation of the A J Webb, David White, Nigel Winder, Keo Woolford, Jimmy Young. Handforth, Hermione Harvey, Leon Head, Bill Hetterley, Howard directly threatens our members’ livelihoods. Variety Artistes Federation and 50 years Davies, Elizabeth Howarth, Shirley Ann Kernow, Lee Kristofferson, (i) not Benny Gallagher They may think this is cheaper, of course, since they joined Equity. There will be but it should not be a choice between some great events to mark the Year. In some cases it may be possible that another member may have used the same or a similar name subsequent to the passing of the above members community arts and our great theatre Watch this space. companies. Arts Council England Malcolm Sinclair

30 / SPRING 2017 www.equity.org.uk SPRING 2017 / 31 Equity branches are your local meeting place to discuss the industry, share insights and influence the direction of the union. BRANCH UPDATE Find your local branch at www.equity.org.uk/branches

Trades ,19 South Mall,Frenchgate Centre,DN1 isle of man general north west london general 1LL9 Contact: [email protected] Next meeting: TBC Contact: [email protected] Date of next meeting: 4 March,11.30am -2pmCentral School of Speech and Drama thames variety branch general 62-64 Eton Avenue, London NW3 3HY Date of next meeting: 13 Feb. 7pm, The Blue Date of next meeting: 6 Feb at 7pm The Contact: Elise Harris, [email protected] Posts, 81 Newman Street W1T 3E Contact: Quarterhouse Theatre 49 Tontine Street Nick Putz 020 8808 3802 [email protected] Folkestone CT20 1BN oxford general Contact: Marie Kelly 07703 207878, Date of next meeting: TBC usually west of england variety [email protected] Oxford Playhouse Contact: secretary. Date of meeting: 13 Feb. 7.45pm, Inn on the [email protected] Green Contact Mary Lane 07900 848003 northern ireland branch [email protected] Date of next meeting: TBC Contact: south & se london Vicky Blades [email protected] general brighton & sussex general Next meeting: 18 Feb, 11am. Venue TBC Date of next meeting: first Saturday of the north lancashire Contact: Paul Valentine via email on month,10.30am, Friends Meeting House, Ship St & cumbria general [email protected] Brighton Contact: Chris Webb 07973 465154 Next meeting: TBC contact below. Contact: Peter Rylands [email protected] west & sw london general bristol & west general Next meeting: 22 Feb, 7.00pm, Seven Dials Date of next meeting: Third Tuesday of ne of england general Club, 42 Earlham St, Covent Garden, WC2H month (exc August), 7.30pm. SPACE, 6 West Date of next meeting: 1st Tuesday of each 9LA. Contact: secretary.equity.wswlon@ Northern lights Street, Old Market, Bristol BS2 0BH Contact: month (excl. Aug & Dec) 6.30pm Northern gmail.com [email protected] Stage Newcastle NE1 7RH Contact: Steve McGuire., [email protected] liverpool general NORTH & WEST YORKSHIRE VARIETY support fellow members in the variety sector cardiff & s wales general Next meeting: 1 March at the Everyman Date of next meeting: First Thursday of north & east london general Theatre on Hope St. 6.30pm start Contact: month, 7.30pm. BBC Club Cardiff, CF5 2YQ Next meeting: every second Saturday of the Sheila Jones, [email protected] Contact: Louisa [email protected] month at 10:30am: The Park Theatre, Finsbury Park. (not August) Contact: yorkshire ridings general he North & West Yorkshire Variety North and West Yorkshire region why n&w yorkshire variety central england general Nicola Hawkins [email protected] Next meeting: TBC branch is extremely pleased to be not pop along to the branch’s friendly Date of next meeting: Date of next meeting: TBC The Wellington Contact: Anthony Blakesley [email protected] Tpart of the Celebrate Variety and welcoming meetings? Every third Monday at 7.30pm Pub Birmingham, B2 5SN Contact: David 2017 celebrations. Discussion include what type of work at George IV pub, Birkenshaw Edgar: [email protected] Variety has a proud tradition in the is available in the region and what BD11 2AH Contact: Valerie Jean Yorkshire region and the branch is problems variety artists are facing in the Mann, [email protected], devon & cornwall general happy that the union is turning the work place. Meetings take place every 0113 285 3848 Next meeting: Third Sunday of the month at A national treasure spotlight on variety throughout 2017. third Monday at 7.30pm at George IV different venues around the two counties. If you are a variety artist from the pub, Birkenshaw. Contact: Nigel Howells, [email protected] EAST OF SCOTLAND GENERAL is a growing branch that brings members together from a large area of Scotland dorset general birmingham variety east midlands variety ne of england variety Next meeting: Third Thursday of every Date of next meeting: 22 Feb, The Crescent Date of next meeting: 7 Feb, 8pm Headstocks Date of meeting: 7.30pm, last Tuesday of month, 7pm. Wessex FM studios. Dorchester successful Theatre Birmingham B16 8AE. NG6 8SF Contact: [email protected] month, The Alberta Social Club, Jarrow. Contact: [email protected] Professionally Made Contact: [email protected] 0115 9725558 Contact Steve McGuire. 01207238258, he East of Scotland Professionally Paid [email protected] essex general Branch comprises moe campaign and his work blackpool variety humberside variety branch Date of next meeting: TBC, unsually Trinity Tthan 500 members and organising the models Date of next meeting: 1st Tuesday of each Date of next meeting: 6 March, 7.30pm, Henry scottish variety Methodist, Chelmsford, CM1 2XB. meets on a regular basis in the sector. month, 1pm, Blackpool Cricket Club, Stanley Park, Vernone Court, Pier Street, Hull. HU1 1UZ Date of next meeting: Contact: [email protected] beautiful surroundings of the FY3 9EQ Contact: Chris Cotton, 07941 550315 Contact: Christie Clifford, [email protected] 6 March at 730p.m in the Equity office 114 Festival Theatre, Edinburgh. Union Street G1 3QQ Contact: gtr manchester & region Over the past year the branch coventry & leicester variety manchester & district variety Linda Rifkind, [email protected] Next meeting: TBC Contact: has hosted a range of speakers Date of next meeting: Monday, 20 Feb, Broad Date of next meeting: 21 Feb, 7.30pm at [email protected] including Maryam Hamidi, Street Rugby Club, Brandon Road Coventry CV3 2AY Monroe’s Hotel, Manchester M1 1PE Contact: south wales variety co-founder of Scottish BAME Contact: Sheila Payne: [email protected] Yvonne Joseph, [email protected] Date of next meeting: first Tuesday of home counties west (Black, Asian and Minority every monthTyn y Twr Public House, Baglan, general Ethnic actors) and Laura east anglia variety merseyside variety SA12 8AU, 7.30 Contact: Shelli Dawn, Date of next meeting: TBC usually east of scotland general Donnelly, casting director, Next meeting: 13 Feb, 8-10pm The Canary Date of next meeting: Second Monday of 01685 812779 7:30pm, South Hill Park Arts Centre, Next meeting: AGM, 22 Feb, 7.30pm Founders Room, National Theatre of Scotland. Club Norwich NR11RT Contact: month, 7pm, Adelphi Hotel Ranelagh St, Bracknell RG12 7PA Contact: Festival Theatre, Edinburgh EH8 9FT. Contact: The branch continues to grow [email protected] Liverpool, Merseyside L3 5UL Contact: Les south yorkshire variety [email protected] Catriona Joss, [email protected] and welcomes new members. O’Neill, [email protected] Next meeting: 9 Feb, 12.30, Doncaster

32 / SPRING 2017 www.equity.org.uk SPRING 2017 / 33 CONTACT EQUITY

SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES 020 7670 0207 ADVICE AND RIGHTS HELPLINE 020 7670 0223 LIVE PERFORMANCE HELP DESK BULLYING REPORTING LINE 020 7670 0237 020 7670 0268 RECORDED MEDIA HELP DESK BRITISH EQUITY COLLECTING SOCIETY 020 7670 0228 020 7670 0350

HEAD OFFICE: Guild house, Upper St Martin’s Lane, London WC2H 9EG Tel: 020 7379 6000 Fax: 020 7379 7001 Email: [email protected] Web: www.equity.org.uk EQUITY OFFICERS: Malcolm Sinclair: President Ian Barritt: Vice President Maureen Beattie: Vice President Bryn Evans: Honorary Treasurer

EQUITY STAFF SOUTH EAST OFFICE Telephone: To call a member of Equity’s head office dial 020 7379 6000 and Will Holmes South East Organiser at the prompt press the asterix and dial the three figure extension in brackets Equity, Upper St Martin’s Lane, WC2H 9EG after the relevant name below. TEL: 020 7670 0229 EMAIL: [email protected] Email: To email a member of Equity’s head office type the initial and surname in lower case with no spaces followed by @equity.org.uk SCOTLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICE Lorne Boswell Scotland and Northern Ireland GENERAL SECRETARY’S DEPT (fax 020 7379 6074) Drew McFarlane Organisers Equity, 114 Union Street, Glasgow G1 3QQ Christine Payne General Secretary (155) tel: 0141 248 2472 EMAIL: [email protected] Louise McMullan Department head, Policy Development Officer [email protected] & Assistant to General Secretary (160) Duncan Smith Head of Finance (130) NORTH WEST OFFICE: Jamie Briers North West Organiser Hamida Ali Equalities & Diversity Organiser (173) Express Networks, 1 George Leigh Street, Manchester M4 5DL TEL: 0161 244 5995 EMAIL: [email protected] Stephen Spence Deputy for the General Secretary, Industrial and Organising (133) NORTH EAST OFFICE: Max Beckmann North East Organiser Express Networks, 1 George Leigh Street, Manchester M4 5DL LIVE PERFORMANCE (fax 020 7670 0265) TEL: 0161 244 5995 EMAIL: [email protected] Hilary Hadley Department head, Opera & Dance Organiser (136) Mike Day Variety Organiser (135) WALES AND SOUTH WEST OFFICE Virginia Wilde West End Organiser (139) Simon Curtis Wales & South West Organiser Paul Fleming London Area Theatre Organiser (138) Equity, Transport House, 1 Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF11 9SD Emmanuel de Lange Independent theatre/Low Pay No Pay Organiser (137) TEL: 029 2039 7971 EMAIL: [email protected] [email protected]

RECORDED MEDIA (fax 020 7836 5313) MIDLANDS OFFICE: Ian Bayes Midlands Organiser John Barclay  Department head & PACT TV Organiser (146) Equity, Upper St Martin’s Lane, WC2H 9EG Claire Hood TV Organiser (152) TEL: 020 7670 0232 EMAIL: [email protected] Laura Messenger Films & Contract Enforcement Organiser (149) Cathy Sweet BBC & Radio Organiser (153) EQUITY MAGAZINE EDITORIAL Tim Gale TV Commercials Organiser (145) Phil Pemberton TEL: 020 7670 0211 EMAIL: [email protected]

COMMUNICATIONS & MEMBERS SUPPORT (fax 020 7240 6341) EQUITY MAGAZINE PRINTING Matt Hood Assistant General Secretary (168) Jeremy Littlestone, TUInk TEL: 07810 825970 email: [email protected] Phil Pemberton Head of Communications, Department head (111) Louise Grainger Marketing and Training Officer (114) EQUITY MAGAZINE ADVERTISING: Lisa Ottway, Sales Manager, Ottway Alan Lean Tax and Welfare Rights Officer (157) Media Solutions TEL: 07958 046 147 EMAIL: [email protected] Emma Cotton Tax & Welfare Rights Organiser (151) Martin Kenny Legal Claims Referral Officer (125) Publication of an advertisement does not imply any form of recommendation. Organisations offering financial services or insurance are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and problems with such services should be taken up with the appropriate body. Equity cannot accept any liability for the quality of goods or services offered in advertisements.

SPECIAL ATTENTION LIST

The For Your Special Attention list is currently undergoing a review. For ongoing checks and information relating to the list please call 020 7670 0200 or email [email protected].

34 / SPRING 2017 break a leg?

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