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Actors speak out at possible 'Sunday performance' reform
Actors could soon be performing up to five times over a weekend if plans go ahead on a controversial proposal.
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Theatreland
Equity will continue to ballot actors who appear on the London stage even though voting was due to close last Friday.
There have been objections to a clause in contracts which would permit the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) to increase performances to Sunday. Currently cast members are required to give permission for performances on Sunday but under new proposals producers could enforce them if they notify actors within eight weeks.
Olivier award-winning actor Roger Allam called the plans "dreadful" and is "dead against it", adding that "two shows on a Saturday and a Sunday is just a nightmare if you've got kids."
The ballot, which also deals with pay and sick benefit increases, is expected to be announced next week. Equity has informed members that the "Sunday issue" will be discussed with theatre managers.
For those wondering where we go from here? For the first time ever, the majority of Broadway shows ran performances on Christmas Day in 2012.
Source: The Independent
Published on March 18, 2013 · Filed under: Featured, News; Tagged as: Actor, Equity, Roger Allam, Society of London Theatre, SOLT, Sunday performances, Theatre
One Response to "Actors speak out at possible 'Sunday performance' reform"
West End update
The new proposed West End settlement was considered by the Equity Council at its meeting on 19 March.
Council was advised that there is a majority of members in favour of the new settlement, both in the individual companies and in the on-line vote of members who had recently worked on the West End Agreement. However, members both currently and recently working in the West End have raised strong concerns about the possibility of second performances being scheduled on a Sunday.
Council, in the light of this concern and given the other aspects of the settlement were acceptable, has decided it will endorse the settlement if SOLT agree to the following: Sunday payments as set out in the Agreement will apply, however the Managers must seek individual consent from each company member for a second Sunday performance.
Given the Managers have confirmed in writing to Equity that they do not anticipate a change of scheduling or many shows doing two performances, Equity is hopeful that the Managers will agree to the above arrangement so that Equity and SOLT can proceed to endorse the settlement and retain the improvements. If the Managers do not agree, then Equity will consult members again.
The Council agreed that both the President and the General Secretary along with Equity negotiators should meet with the CEO of SOLT and representatives of their negotiating Committee as soon as possible.
Comment posted: March 20, 2013 at 3:12 pm