The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and Equity have reached an agreement to support actors during the current suspension of West End shows due to the COVID 19 crisis.
Aimed at covering everything from long-running musicals to plays with limited runs, productions yet to open and shows which were still in rehearsal when the shutdown began, a statement released by the two organisations described the new deal as “the best possible framework for the long-term job security of performers and recovery of the West End”.
Commenting on the deal which follows the recent announcement that the theatre shutdown will continue up to and including 31 May, SOLT’s chief executive Julian Bird said: “Equity and ourselves have worked tirelessly since the shutdown to protect jobs and address the needs of our West End workforce during this crisis. We all need to work together to ensure that we can get through this as an industry, and are ready to welcome audiences back into our theatres as soon as possible.”
Hilary Hadley, the head of Equity’s Live Performance Department, added: “It is only by our closely working together that we have managed to develop this Agreement, which provides a route map for our West End producers, performers and stage management. It is our joint hope that this new agreement will see the West End Theatre industry through this bleakest period and enable the smooth resumption of the rehearsals and performances which were so abruptly stopped by COVID-19.”
Under the new agreement, casts currently under contract will remain on contract and have the opportunity to re-commence rehearsals or performances with revised dates once the shutdown has ended.
With the need for social distancing measures to remain in place until the infection and death rates level out and start to drop, the Government remains unable to offer any certainty about when theatres will be able to re-open. With this in mind producers are contingency planning for their individual shows and any re-opening dates suggested by individual shows and producers remain speculative.
SOLT and Equity continue to lobby Government on behalf of the theatre industry with particular reference to people not covered by the Government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
Angela Thomas
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