Winter 2015 - Equity Magazine

winter 2015 www.equity.org.uk

Stop Arts Cuts: budgets hit across UK Julia Ormond on working in Hollywood Count Me In! Sign up to support diversity

Mark Rylance Why we need to back the BBC

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Contents News

04 New campaigns 06 Responding to bullies

Success stories Meet the LA network Careers information service

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20 Count me in 24 TUC report

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08 Meet the membership 22 Member offers 30 Letters 32 Branch notes

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26 Stop Arts Cuts

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front of house

upfront

Tim Healy tax case – update Recent case rested on particular circumstances and therefore has no wider implications at this stage

Equity launches campaigns to defend BBC and the arts sector we want you to send a postcard defending the bbc to your local mp and sign up to stop arts cuts

“A quality broadcaster committed to original drama and comedy” is one of six BBC manifesto points we want your MP to sign up to

Equity has launched two major campaigns aimed at defending key areas of work for members. The first is to defend the future of the BBC, which is coming under sustained attack from the government.

Christine Payne, the union’s General Secretary, has publically condemned the government’s Green Paper consultation as a “stitch up”, saying that it comes from a government who wants the BBC out of the way so that the commercial TV operators can maximise their profits.

She also criticised culture secretary John Whittingdale’s panel of experts for not including a single representative of the thousands of workers who contribute so much to the success of the

BBC. Equity has been responding to the consultations but is urging members to send the postcard included with this magazine to their local MP. It includes six ‘manifesto’ pledges regarding the future of the Corporation and urges MPs to #BackTheBBC. Meanwhile, the union has developed a campaign in response to the pressing issue of ongoing arts cuts called Stop Arts Cuts. The Treasury has asked the Department of Culture to prepare for cuts of up to 40% – the actual figure will be announced in the government spending review later this year. Public commentators have speculated that cuts of this size could mean Arts Council England reducing the number of regularly funded organisations from more than 600 to 50.

Mark Rylance on the BBC campaign, page 14 More on Stop Arts Cuts on page 26

Mark Thomas

New schemes to improve diversity Following years of campaigning

by Equity, Arts Council England and the leading broadcasters have finally agreed to monitor the equality and diversity of the talent they employ.

This is a significant development.

Previously the data available about performers on stage and screen was not robust enough for the union to convince organisations of the changes we believe need to happen if the entertainment industry is to reflect the society in which we live. Members

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Members have raised concerns about possible implications arising from the recent tax case involving Tim Healy. He was denied the opportunity to offset against his tax the rent of a flat in London while working in the West End. Equity’s tax experts believe that this decision rested on the specific facts of that case; in particular the size of the flat rented and do not appear to have wider implications for other performers. Find out more on Equity’s website: www.equity.org.uk/healytaxcase

Anyone for tennis?

The 2016 Equity tennis tournament will be particularly special as it will mark the twentieth anniversary that the event has been raising funds for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

This year’s Equity Tennis Tournament took place on the 30 August at The Queen’s Club.

Tristan Gemmill successfully retained his Men’s Singles title, defeating Roland John-Leopoldie in the final. In the afternoon, the hugely popular Mixed Doubles Round Robin took place and the day was rounded off with a cocktail party, auction and raffle in The President’s Room at Queen’s.

If you would like to take part in next year’s event, please contact the tournament organiser Timea Oscar on 020 8458 8708, 07802 887858 or email timea@btinternet.com for further information.

employed on Arts Council Englandfunded work (National Portfolio and Regularly Funded Organisations) will be asked to complete monitoring forms as will those working for leading broadcasters such as the BBC and ITV. The union has launched an initiative called Count Me In that aims to encourage members to pass on this information and enable us to see a true picture of the equality and diversity in our industry.

More on Count Me In on page 20

www.equity.org.uk

Christine Payne General Secretary

I am honoured to be re-elected as your General Secretary. A major focus for the next five years will be improving equality and diversity across our industry I am very happy and proud to have been re-elected unopposed for a new five-year term as your General Secretary.

Equity is such a unique and special union and it has been my privilege to have held this post since 2005.

We have been growing stronger and stronger over these years and at the end of September in-benefit membership went past 40,000 for the first time in our history – in addition to that we also have 5,000 student members. The more members we have, the stronger we are in all areas of the industry, from defending your legal rights to negotiating agreements and influencing government policy.

This success is due to the support and involvement of members in campaigns, in their branches, on Equity’s committees and on the Council. I could not do my job without this help and without the hard work of a very talented group of staff, which it is my honour to lead.

One of our newer recruits is already making a positive impact in a role that will be central to the union’s work in the coming years. Hamida Ali is our new equalities and diversity organiser – this is the first time Equity has made these aspects of the union into a full-time post. She will be building on the amazing work that has been done by her predecessor Max Beckmann (now our north east organiser) and members on our equality committees. They have been campaigning, lobbying and marching for years on issues such as equal representation for men and women on stage and screen, supporting LGBT members through our ‘I Won’t Pretend’ initiative, fighting for casting opportunities for disabled talent and combating the lack of ethnic diversity in the entertainment industry. Recently we have given our backing to the important new equalities campaign Parents in Perfoming Arts (see page 10 for more).

Hamida has arrived at an opportune time because this pressure, along with pressure from individual members and forward-thinking organisations such as Sphinx Theatre and Act for Change, has paid dividends as decision-makers are finally seeing the sense of our arguments.

Last year, Arts Council England conceded that there was a need to institute equality monitoring as part of its requirements when providing funding.

The broadcasters have also got on board with members of the Creative Diversity Network, key organisations such as the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky, launching a monitoring scheme called Project Diamond. This groundbreaking initiative

I am looking forward to seeing genuine change on our stages and screens” will collect diversity data, tracked over time and benchmarked between broadcasters, of all those involved in productions, both on-screen and off. This aims to finally provide concrete answers to the equality and diversity questions of who appears on, and who makes, our TV. Further information on our Count Me In campaign to inform members about these initiatives can be found on page 20.

So, with your help and the co-operation of the major arts and entertainment organisations, we will soon have clear evidence to enable us to see what equality and diversity really looks like in our industry.

Then the evidence can be used to begin to further shape the business to reflect the society in which we live. This is where our strong industrial committees come into play. Our Stage, Screen and New Media, and Variety, Circus and Entertainers committees will have the task of embedding the need for greater equality and diversity into the heart of our industrial work. This is what we will be working for in the coming years and I am looking forward to seeing genuine change on our stages and screens.

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front of house

In brief...

Annual Conference Christine re-elected

The union’s 2015has Annual Christine Payne been re-elected Representative Conference willGeneral be unopposed to serve as Equity’s in LondonChristine on 17 andwas 18 May. The to Secretary. nominated deadline for motions is noonand on no stand by the Equity Council 12 March and for amendments other nominations were received. noon on 17 April.

Theas2016 ARC Christine has served General will take place Bristol on 21,time 22 Secretary sincein 2005 in which and 23 May. Equity’s membership has grown, against the trend of most other unions, to its current level of more than 40,000.

BBC deal The union has reached an Referendum interim agreement with the BBC

Following decision at this year’s Minimumafees for main artists are Equity Conference the unionartists is up by 2.5% and supporting conducting a referendum to been determine and walk-ons fees have also whether should be an Audio increasedthere by 1%.

The agreement Artist representative on the Equity also includes a pre-purchase of Council.

Referendum documents certain rights.

The deal is effectiveare included in this 2014. edition of the from 1 October magazine. If you have not received them contact elections@equity.org.uk

Exhibit B show Equity strongly opposes Stage management censorship and is extremely

A meeting will held for stage concerned thatbe this show management discuss was forced to members close. Theto union’s buyout contracts.

Itiswill take consistent position that it place at 1pm on Friday 29freedom January 2016 at supports artistic Equity’s London HQ – Guild House of expression.

London WC2H 9EG. For more info contact jbriers@equity.org.uk

Pobol y Cwm award Welsh soap opera Pobol y Cwm FIA Dublin has received a special Bafta

The FIA World Live Performance honouring the show’s 40th Conference in Dublin inwas June 2015 was anniversary.

The award hosted by Equity in partnership presented at an event at Roath with Irish Equity-SIPTU, following Lock Studios in Cardiff Bay. the formation of the Ireland/UK Hannah Raybould, director ofAction GroupCymru, that has focusedthe on Bafta presented strengthening union capacity accolade to actor Gareth Lewis, in Ireland, north and south. who accepted it on behalf of the cast and crew.

Union tackles bullying with raft of measures Bullying is a highly destructive set of behaviours that can be openly aggressive or covertly manipulative. It takes place in many workplaces, including those associated with theatre, broadcasting, entertainment and the arts.

Equity and the Federation of Entertainment Unions (FEU) have become increasingly concerned about the levels of bullying in our industries after research among the collective memberships revealed the creative industries to be ‘hotspots’ of bullying, with more than half of the 4,000 respondent (56%) saying they had been bullied, harassed or discriminated against at work.

Following this, the Creating without Conflict initiative continues and the FEU members have initiated discussions with major employers to look at strengthening their anti-bullying policies and responses to cases.

Equity members in branches and committees are also worried about bullying and have brought motions to the union’s Annual Representatives Conference and proposals for activity. Out of this has come a working party of members and staff who are working together to create materials and consider training to help raise awareness and support members. We are grateful to members who have contributed their experiences to this important work.

Everyone involved stated the priority for new guidance from the union about what a member can do when faced with a bullying situation. The result is a new guide Bullying – what you can

do, primarily developed by Portia Booroff and Nicky Goldie with input from author Anne-Marie Quigg, who has produced two books on bullying in the arts.

Portia hopes the guide will “help make clear the devastating effect bullying has and make everyone aware of this and that it is in the industry’s interest to have healthy, safe work environments.” The guide provides examples of bullying behaviours, clear tips on what you can do and useful contacts, which Nicky welcomes because “Equity members are particularly vulnerable as we are fearful of being labelled as troublemakers if we speak out aginst bullying; but we all deserve respect in the professional environment – you do not have to put up with abuse or exploitation.”

Alongside the brochure, Equity is producing postcards to go into workplaces and has a Bullying Reporting Line (020 7670 0268) where members can leave confidential messages. The new guide is available via the bullying resources page: www.equity.org.uk/bullying. Or contact Equity for a hard copy and postcards for your workplace.

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Equity’s West Coast network in the Council, the Appeals Committee and US is having an eventCommittee to connect will the Standing Orders with place fellowinmembers living or papers take 2016. Nomination working in Los Angeles nearby. will be included with theorSpring It will take place on 5 November, edition of this magazine.

Nominations 7.30pm 10.30pm the venue will close–at 12 noon,and Friday 6 May. is Timmy Nolan’s on Riverside Ballot papers will bar be sent out on Drive, CA 91602.

Wednesday 8 June and the Ballot closes at 12 noon, Wednesday 6 July.

winter 2015

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Equity elections US network The election of the President, the

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Connect with the Equity community when you get to LA

meet the membership

Julia Ormond recently hosted the union’s West Coast Network party in Hollywood. Here, she celebrates Sundance, reflects on the progress of diversity and reveals her love for Dr Who

Q

What advice would you give to a UK performer trying to break into Hollywood?

I would connect with the Equity community that are already in LA and get up-to-date advice from them. The casting is different in LA. You sign in, you wait, you read the piece and that’s pretty much it. Let go of the expectation to develop a rapport through the interview or you’ll feel bruised. I would consider coming out for a block of time and trying it before anything else and I’d consult with experts re visa requirements. That and pack sunscreen!

Q

Is the best screen work now being produced for TV, not film?

The best work will always be from where the best writing is. It’s on a case by case basis, whether theatre, TV or film.

Let go of the expectation to develop a rapport through the interview in LA or you’ll feel bruised”

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Julia was speaking to Phil Pemberton. Photos Rex features

Q

Are there any major differences in the craft of acting in a film to a TV drama series?

There’s a wonderful book on editing by Walter Murch called In the Blink of an Eye that every actor should read. Walter describes how in the editing suite he’ll put a cut-out figure the proportionate size of a person in front of the screen he’s editing on to remind him of the audience experience. Coming from a theatre background it was really helpful when a TV director said to me that the frame of the lens, potentially around one’s face in close-up, is your pros arch. You always have to have performance anchored in truth, that bit doesn’t change. Ultimately, in TV or film you need to know what size they will be telling the story as that will affect your choices. Sadly, few directors get to tell a story through expressive wide shot, although I’ve always personally loved how it can pull the viewer in.

www.equity.org.uk

Q

Do you, and your fellow performers in the US, see the value of the BBC? As a Brit abroad and someone who grew up with BBC news and broadcasting, it’s probably easier to feel the global influence and trust in BBC reporting standards; it’s something I feel incredibly proud of – that and Dr Who! Erosion of the objectivity of the BBC would be tragic for everyone, not just a UK audience.

Q

Do you think the entertainment industry reflects the diversity of people in the real world?

Every script should be looked at for opening up opportunity to meet proportional representation.

That could be powerfully impactful if authentically done because token roles just reinforce clichés. That would challenge us to bring in different writers and storymakers who will bust through stereotypes on all our behalf. If you’re desperately grateful for a job, you’re not inclined to say “excuse me but this feels racist/ sexist/insulting” and if you do sense you have agency to speak up you’re tagged as difficult. If writing is the source of the problem we need to proactively support diversity. Sundance is a phenomenal example of a completely integrated approach around gender, encouragement of diversity, and incredible results and outcomes of success

that have failed to manifest in the US studio system for no apparent reason other than bias.

Stacy Smith is a brilliant US professor who has led fascinating research on this issue, see www.equity.org.uk/StacySmith

Q

You are an activist on the issue of human trafficking and slavery. What prompted you to support that cause?

I developed a script that taught me a lot from the NGO (non governmental organisation) sector dealing with this issue in the 90s. I was asked to join the UN as a Goodwill Ambassador, did a bunch of trips round the world and returned to create my own NGO called Alliance to Stop Slavery and End Trafficking (ASSETcampaign. org). The globalised nature of the product chain means that slavery has remained a nasty human habit. We were Source and Chief Organisational Sponsor, we led on the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act, which was recently expanded in the UK Modern Slavery Act. We aim to create a tool that the consumer, investor, employee – in fact every stake-holder – can use to encourage best labour practices in our product supply chains.

We continue to work with Unseen UK (www. unseenuk.org) on TISC and implementation, and together we will work to take the legislation through to the EU and beyond.

Q

What can Equity members do to challenge the problem?

The best way to ensure we don’t have forced labour issues is to ensure that we have decent work.

That, of course, is something that the unions recognise and continue to fight for on our behalf. Labour issues are often visually masked and emerge because something in the story doesn’t add up. I hope to work with Equity on how we can deal with it in our industry.

Julia’s recent work has included the TV drama series Witches of East End and Mad Men

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success stories

Advisors Julie Fountain, Paul Cawley and Beverley Hills are all professional performers

Comedians’ Network advances

Equity’s network in LA celebrated its third anniversary in October, while similiar events took place in New York and Toronto. The networks are designed to bring members together who are living or working outside the UK

union strengthens ties with hollywood

Bigstock.com

Equity’s West Coast network is growing as members in the us and canada enjoy a week of events

More than 200 Equity members celebrated the third anniversary of the union’s US West Coast network on 3 October at its annual garden party in Los Angeles. Hosted this year by Julia Ormond, President Malcolm Sinclair and General Secretary Christine Payne attended as guests of honour.

The garden party was preceded by a week’s worth of events at the SAG Foundation in LA, which included sessions on American Agents, US Visas and Working in the UK. The programme was available to Equity UK and SAG-AFTRA members and was supported by Spotlight. Videos of the sessions are available on the union’s YouTube channel.

September saw members in New York meet for the second time for their annual social, held at the Churchill Tavern in Manhattan, sponsored by WhatsOnStage and TheaterMania. The union partnered with English sparkling winemaker Ridgeview, who supplied their award-winning Bloomsbury cuvee to both the Los Angeles garden party and the New York social.

Around 100 Equity members living or working in Toronto or visiting the Toronto International Film Festival attended the union’s first reception in Canada, also in September, held at Bar Wellington.

Equity’s member-led networks in the US and Canada are designed to bring members together who are living or working outside the UK. If you are not already registered with the local network, or if you are moving abroad, please contact la@equity. org.uk, nyc@equity.org.uk or toronto@equity.org.uk

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The recently formed Equity’s Comedians’ Network is working well and is currently negotiating with a number of comedy promoters to get them signed up to its five-point manifesto. This consists of: Fair pay for all; Safe working conditions; Protection from harassment and discrimination; Fair treatment in the workplace; A standard contract for comedians. A new leaflet has been created promoting the services that the union offers to comedians and introducing the network. If you you are interested in joining the Comedians’ Network please email: equitycomnet@gmail.com

Parents in Performing Arts want to talk about childcare Equity is backing a new initiative supporting parents working in the entertainment sector. Called Parents in Performing Arts (PIPA) it has a manifesto committed to preventing the creative professions becoming a playground for the wealthy, or those free of dependents, be it children or an adult in need of care.

PIPA was officially launched at The Young Vic on Friday 16 October where the organisation brought together unions, practitioners and

arts organisations. Leading arts figures are behind the organisation.

“Parents in the arts need to stage a childcare revolution,” said Guardian journalist Lyn Gardner, while director Vicky Featherstone commented: “This is a conversation that is long overdue”.

PIPA is campaigning for cultural change towards parents in entertainment by identifying and raising awareness about the child-related challenges facing those working in theatre and on screen and supporting parents in the industry by providing information, help and practical solutions.

The campaign is also calling for greater access to theatre for parent audiences. Find out more about PIPA at www. pipacampaign.com

Equity’s careers service celebrates ten years the union’s Discounted service offers one-to-one sessions for members at all stages of their careers

Council praises Honorary Life Members The Equity Council recently celebrated three members for their outstanding service to the union. At the Council’s September meeting it praised the contribution made by Jean Rogers, Annie Bright and Al Logan. They have been awarded Honorary Life Membership, which is the highest honour the union can bestow, for their campaigning work over many years.

www.equity.org.uk

Equity’s Careers Information Service is celebrating 10 years of helping members with their careers.

The service consists of three working members who have been trained to the national Matrix standard for delivering information, advice and guidance. The advisors generally work with people in one-to-one sessions but they can work with schools, companies and other organisations.

Advisor Paul Cawley believes the fact that they are all performers gives them a unique insight into the process.

“Working full-time as professional performers gives us a singular perspective that can be of great use not only to new entrants and recent graduates, but to people coming back into the industry after a break,” he said. “We know how quickly this industry is changing, because we are out there doing it, and this keeps our advice current and relevant.”

Individual session lasts around 1.5 hours and members leave with a practical action

plan. The price is discounted (a session costs between £40 and £50) and there is free email advice available after the session.

“My aim is to deliver a skills health check,” explained advisor Julie Fountain.

“To analyse the client’s CV and marketing strategies and discuss any funding opportunities for learning and courses.

Within this framework, the discussion leads to questions around job information, agents, casting directors, etc. The meeting concludes with creating an action plan specifically for that individual.”

Advisor Beverley Hills believes that the service is valuable because careers in this profession can be so difficult to plan.

“Performers rarely get the chance to discuss any kind of trajectory,” she said. “One of my roles is to help them look at the industry as a whole. It is very rewarding to see the faces of actors once they stopped blaming themselves for not getting a role, an agent or a casting.” www.equity.org.uk/careers-service

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The Evelyn Norris Trust

success stories

Was established in 1968 to provide financial support for members of the theatrical and concert professions who are in need of rest, recovery or a recuperative holiday.

Insurance top-ups now online If you are a full member of Equity you are automatically covered for up to £10 million in Public Liability insurance.

However, there are certain circumstances where you may want additional insurance, such as if you are a dancer, stunt or fire performer. You may also want to extend your Equity workplace accident insurance to 24-hour coverage or buy additional accident cover that will be paid on top of your existing Equity scheme. The union’s insurance partner, First Act, now offers the below top-up options online at: www.firstactinsurance.co.uk Accident Insurance Extension – extend your existing Equity Workplace Accident Insurance to 24 hour coverage Dancers & Physical Artists MRI/RIB Insurance Access – private MRI or RIB scan if required after an accident. You can also claim other medical costs up to £1,000 Stunt Performers Accident Insurance Fire Performers Public Liability Insurance Personal accident additional cover

If you’ve recently suffered an illness, or needed medical treatment and think a short convalescent break would aid recovery, or if you’ve been suffering from ill health and need to ‘recharge your batteries’ then you should apply for funding.

For information on how to apply you can either contact info@equitycharitabletrust.org.uk. ring us on 0207 831 1926 or visit our website www.equitycharitabletrust.org.uk where you can follow the link to the Evelyn Norris Trust and download an application.

Dancers and choreographers from across the UK met together in October to create a plan to improve rates and conditions in the dance sector

www.equitycharitabletrust.org.uk

aiming to change the dance industry new dance committee launches and reaches out to the whole sector with five priorities to improve dancers working lives

Shutterstock.com

Last month the Equity Freelance Dance Network held an event in Covent Garden to launch the newly-created Dance Committee. Dancers and choreographers from across the industry attended and it was an opportunity for network members to meet the new committee, hear the priorities for its term and contribute ideas on how to achieve those goals.

Addresses were given by Nick Keegan, Equity dance councillor, who discussed the development of the network and how it has helped to raise the profile of Equity among the dance community. Gareth Mole, chair of the Dance Committee, spoke about the committee’s desire to represent dancers and choreographers working throughout the industry. Attendees were divided into five groups, each discussing the five committee priorities and devising strategies for achieving these objectives. The five priorities are: Campaigning to increase the use of and access to Equity contracts A programme of education on rights, professional skills and union knowledge Achieve improved rates and conditions on agreements where dancers and choreographers work, through live performance and recorded media, and develop unorganised areas Campaigning around health and safety and wellbeing for dancers Developing strategies for career stability and progression For further information on joining the network contact Beth Doran on bdoran@equity.org.uk

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www.equity.org.uk

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campaign

Why we need to

back the BBC

Members speak out about the importance of the BBC as politicians and media rivals line up to advocate its break-up.

Please join this campaign and enlist your MP in Backing The BBC Main portrait Steve Forrest

“The BBC sets the standard for excellence, from the iPlayer to BBC4.

Travelling abroad, the BBC is an inspiration in many states where privately owned media has enabled corruption and misinformation to flourish”

The future of the BBC is under threat. Equity is asking members across the UK to support the Corporation at this critical time. We are also reaching out to the general public because there is a genuine danger we are sleepwalking our way to the destruction of one of our greatest institutions.

Media rivals have been atttacking the BBC for years – we need to lead the fightback 14 /

winter 2015

Mark Rylance www.equity.org.uk

campaign

The BBC is part of our cultural DNA. It thrills and informs us as children. It educates and nourishes us as adults. The BBC is not for the politicians, it is for us”

Where else but on the BBC can you enjoy Bake Off, get absorbed in Wolf Hall or shout at Question Time? The BBC can produce a wider range of programmes that might not be commercial successes and fulfil its brief to educate” Jo Brand

david tennant

Mark Harrison, Camera Press London. Rex Features

T

he reasons why we need to support the BBC now is because huge decisions on its future are on the horizon. Politicians and media rivals are trying to set the agenda for a major change in the role of the BBC because they see it as too big with an unfair advantage. They do not recognise the incredible value it provides at home and abroad. The current BBC Royal Charter and BBC Agreement are due to expire in December 2016. The Charter sets out the public purposes and constitutional basis of the BBC. The Agreement provides detail on many of the topics outlined in the Charter and also covers the BBC’s funding and its regulatory duties. The licence fee settlement expires in March 2017 and is a deal between government and the BBC that sets the rate of the licence fee and any conditions attached to it. Recently there has been an interim agreement that will result in cuts at the BBC and is a worrying precedent for the 2017 deadline.

The government has set up a consultation Green Paper in advance of these events, but Equity has no faith in this process. The Green Paper panel does not include a single representative of the thousands of workers who contribute so much to the success of the BBC and appears to have been stacked with people who have already made up their minds

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winter 2015

I believe it is essential that we continue to have a public service broadcaster that is held to the highest standards while maintaining a complete separation from government.

The country gets so much for its money” adrian lester

www.equity.org.uk

campaign

There is huge trepidation in the industry as the BBC charter renewal approaches. The continuation of the licence fee will mean the continuation of our cultural Jewel in the Crown”

The BBC represents fairness, balance and public service. It is trustworthy and world renowned for its integrity. We cannot afford to sell it off ” sheila hancock

Julie Hesmondhalgh

about the changes they want to see at the Corporation.

As the media landscape is dominated by rivals who want a reduced or destroyed BBC we need to speak passionately about its importance. We need to shout about the excellence of BBC drama, comedy and light entertainment, both on screen and radio – the latter of which is often overlooked but is a vital part of the BBC’s output. We need to speak out about the great value for money the BBC provides, about the range and quality of its programmes and the fact that the BBC is unique and a beacon for broadcasting standards around the world.

Is the BBC perfect? Of course not. We would like a future BBC to commit to more productions in the nations and regions of the UK and fully recognise the importance of greater diversity and equality. That is why we have produced a six-point manifesto that we

want you to send to your MP so she or he can sign up to these principles: A national broadcaster committed to regional investment and programming A modern broadcaster committed to on-screen diversity that reflects modern Britain A universal broadcaster committed to maintaining a universal service funded by the licence fee or equivalent A trusted broadcaster committed to independence from government A quality broadcaster committed to original drama and comedy A responsible broadcaster committed to fair pay and conditions for its employees This coming year will see the biggest battle for the future of the BBC since its creation in 1922.

We know it’s worth fighting for.

The BBC is by far the most prolific radio drama broadcaster in the world. Without licence fee funding this sort of high quality programming, attracting such a significant audience, just wouldn’t be available anywhere else” Martin jarvis

Like any good relationship I’m more than willing to invest in the BBC. All I ask in return is that it is accountable for delivery on equality and diversity in front of and behind the scenes in order to maintain its relevance to current and future generations”

Send these answers on a postcard Equity’s BBC: Love it or Lose it campaign will have a number of initiatives throughout the coming year but one of its first objectives is to get members to connect with their MP about the future of the BBC. The union has produced a postcard, which is included with this magazine, that details the six manifesto points we want politicians to sign up to. Please take the time to fill this in and send it to your local MP. If you have not received a postcard you can get one from Equity offices or via the details below. Let us know you have sent your card through social media on our Facebook page and using #BackTheBBC on Twitter. Full details of the Love It or Lose It campaign can be found at: www.equity.org.uk/ loveitorloseit

Tanya Moodie

18 /

winter 2015

www.equity.org.uk

winter 2015

/ 19

equalities

Y

ou can’t be what you can’t see. That was a driving principle behind the campaign by Equity’s four equality committees to push Arts Council England and the broadcasters to start monitoring the diversity of their casts – once and for all.

Research on the diversity of drama on screen, radio and on stage is fairly thin on the ground. However, in general, we believe that only 1 in 3 people on screen and stage is female, fewer than one in 10 people in a TV drama is from a BME background, and only around 1 in 100 people on TV is disabled or lesbian or gay.

But without regular, consistent and comprehensive information available it is much harder to ascertain just what the problems are and what – if any – progress has been made.

That’s why Equity has been campaigning on this issue for many years. It is also the reason four equality committees submitted a joint motion to the union’s 2014 conference and why Equity put a motion the same year to

Sign up to support diversity Following years of campaigning by Equity the entertainment industry is finally acknowledging the need to collect equalities data. Now we need your help

the TUC Congress – backing this principle – and we won. Since then Arts Council England has amended its annual survey so that from this financial year (2015-16), every National Portfolio and Regularly Funded Organisation will now have to report the diversity of their casts each year.

The broadcasters are also on the case. They are working together through the Creative Diversity Network on an initiative to capture and analyse this data electronically. It is called Project Diamond and this scheme aims to launch in early 2016.

So, ahead of Project Diamond and while the Arts Council’s changes are still bedding in, we’re starting a campaign called Count Me In! to encourage members to support these initiatives and to give you the reassurance you need to feel confident to share your information with employers.

What does this mean for you?

Hopefully, more and more employers will start to ask you to complete equality monitoring forms – asking for information about you. Specifically,

This is a really practical and tangible way that all members can help in the campaign for greater diversity in the industry”

your age, disability, ethnicity and sexual orientation. That said – some things to make clear: This information can ONLY be asked once you’re part of a production – and NOT at the casting stage or during an audition Any information you provide will only be used anonymously No one with ANY responsibility for casting will have access to your information No one can compel you This is a really practical and tangible way that all members can help in the campaign for greater diversity in the industry. So, we’re asking for your help: If you’re given an equality monitoring form – complete it If you’re not asked for your equality information – and you’re in a production commissioned by a NPO / RFO – ask why not Reassure other members who have any concerns and encourage them to provide their information Tell us about your experiences Remember that this information about you is only useful in understanding more about the diversity of all actors and performers. It’s not about collecting specific information related to you, but about improving the industry for everyone in the long term.

Count Me In campaign

Shutterstock.com

We want members to feel confident about supplying information as it will help the future of the industry Equity will be using the Count Me In logo to encourage you to supply equality and diversity data to your employers. Members working for organisations that are funded by Arts Council England (National Portfolio and Regularly Funded companies) should have received requests for this data from the beginning of the 2015-2016

www.equity.org.uk

financial year. This is likely to be a paper form that you will be asked to complete.

Broadcasters, including the BBC and ITV, will begin their collective scheme called Project Diamond next year. This is an electronic approach where we believe members will be asked to log on to a secure site to add their details.

For more, email hali@equity.org.uk

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Member offers

you’re in need IfIfyou’re needofyou assistance, in can get helpget from touch with people who people who understand. understand.

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Equity membership entitles you to a wide variety of discounts, from photos to the Phoenix club; see below for a selection. Go online for a full list: www.equity.org.uk/discounts alexander technique Individual lessons at Gilbert Street, Nr Bond St, London. 30% discount to members. Twenty-six years of teaching performers; supporting improved poise and confidence, preventing backache and vocal strain For info phone Kate Kelly 0845 3479389 www.alexandertec.net

assist taxation services Assistance with the preparation and submission of self-assessment tax returns for Equity members who are required by HM Revenue & Customs to submit a return. Equity members receive an exclusive 20% discount off the normal fixed fee of £250. A further 10% discount is available to members for referrals. We also offer self-employed accounts preparation and tax advisory and planning services. For further details please contact Nasir Majeed on 07775 691009, email nasir@assisttaxationservices.co.uk

cinema tickets Discounted tickets when showing Equity card: Queens FilmTheatre Belfast, Pictureville Bradford, Watershed Bristol, Cinema 3 Canterbury, Chichester Cinema at New Park, Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre Dumfries, Edinburgh Filmhouse, Hull Screen, Adam Smith Theatre Kirkcaldy, Showroom Sheffield, NFT.

michael barnes hairdressing Equity members can get 40% off all cutting and colouring on your first visit to the salon and then you will receive 20% off all services whenever you visit after that. Michael Barnes is located ar 224 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2. Tel: 020 7836 7152.

parking Equity and Q-Park have teamed up to provide Equity members with discounted parking in London and other major cities.

More cities will come on-stream as Q-Park rolls out its development programme, so if the city you want is not yet listed, do please check regularly.

The rates represent a 15% discount across the day with a special flat rate of £6.00 for London parking from 6pm to 2am.

To take advantage of the Equity discount you need to pre-book your parking, just follow this link to do this: www.equity.org. uk/parking

Special offer

dance studios £60 off Pineapple Studios Annual Membership.

Equity members get £60 off annual membership to Pineapple Dance Studios in Covent Garden, London (usually costs £160).

Additional benefits of membership include 25% off all full-price clothing at the Pineapple store opposite the studio in Covent Garden. Members can visit the studios at any time for classes or to meet friends and colleagues. Two passport size photographs are required. Claim in person with your Equity card at Pineapple Dance Studios, 7 Langley Street, London WC2H 9JA. Tel 020 7836 4004. www.pineapple.uk.com

hair removal Pulsar-permanent hair removal and skin treatments. Pigmentation, spots, photorejuvenation and more. IPL-intense pulsed light therapy. More advanced than laser: never shave again. For men and women – all skin and hair types. 10-20% discount for Equity members.

Minimum fee applies to house visits.

Contact Dr Succar on 020 8848 8288 or www.natura.org.uk

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winter 2015

Stage Film Television Radio All the advice you need…

photography HCK Photography is offering Equity members headshots/publicity shots for £95, a saving of £155. The session will include up to two hours in the studio, unlimited changes, free consultation before shoot, multiple back-drops, over 300 shots taken, five retouched high resolution images, 8 by 10 Spotlight standard and more. For more information contact Kit at: 020 7112 8499. www.hckphotography.co.uk/equityoffer Scotland-based photographer Aly Wight is offering a 10% discount off headshots and location shots to members, see www.alywight.com

Essential contacts for the entertainment industry

phoenix artist club Save 50% on annual membership. A private members’ club and licenced bar for professionals in the entertainment industry and their guests, open Mon-Sat 11am-2.30am (last entry 1am) with hot food served until 11pm.

Entertaining entertainers since the nineties, this hidden gem, once visited, is never forgotten.

Annual membership is £120 reduced to £60 on presentation of your paid-up Equity card. Please visit the club during opening hours to apply.

Located beneath the Phoenix Theatre, 1 Phoenix Street, Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 8BU. Tel 020 7836 1077, website: www.phoenixartistclub.com

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rac breakdown cover We’ve teamed up with the RAC to bring you a great deal: a potential 50% off RAC Rescue cover. With your discount, Roadside cover starts at just £29 a year.

And, depending on which level of cover you choose, you could save as much as £99.25.

Join today at rac.co.uk/join/benefits or call 0800 096 6836 quoting EBS001

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Equity members can have 15 per cent off an annual subscription. This is available to all Equity members on both print and digital editions.

To take advantage of this discount go to http://subscriptions.thestage.co.uk and select the version you require.

Remember to include the code EQUI in the Promotional Code box to activate the 15 per cent discount.

Chris Corbin and Jeremy King are supporters of the theatre and they have arranged for all members to receive 10% off any bill at their London restaurants: The Wolseley, The Delaunay, The Counter at The Delaunay, Brasserie Zédel and Colbert. See the Rex Restaurant website: www.rexra.com. The offer is for an Equity member and up to five guests (i.e. six people in total). You need to show a valid Equity card as proof.

If you’ve had an accident that wasn’t your fault, as an Equity member it pays to use your union’s preferred solicitors, Morrish Solicitors LLP, for your Personal Injury claim.

Not only will you enjoy efficient and friendly service, but unlike other solicitors who may keep up to 40% of your compensation, with us you will get every penny for yourself.

For your FREE Personal Injury Service call 033 33449600 Complete a claim form at equityinjuryclaims.org.uk Or for more Equity member benefits visit morrishsolicitors.com

please note: Equity does not endorse the third-party services provided in these membership offers. They are made available on the request of the vendors.

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winter 2015

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TUC conference

Equity’s delegation to the TUC, right, comprised Lynda Rooke, Rachel Birch-Lawson, Stephen Spence (assistant general secretary), Christine Payne (General Secretary), Charlotte Cornwell (vice president), Adam Burns and Louise McMullan. Above, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn

Rallying round the arts

The TUC Congress took place during a media storm surrounding the Trade Union Bill and a new Labour leader. Equity focused on its initiatives on childcare, the dance sector and fighting arts cuts Photography Andrew Wiard and Mark Thomas

T

he TUC Congress in September was under a greater media spotlight than for many years. This was due to Parliament’s vote in favour of the Trade Union Bill and the presence of the new Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

The TUC voted to hold a co-ordinated day of national action against the Bill amid fears that union members will become criminals under its controversial proposals. If the Bill is made law it would introduce a new 50% threshold on participation in strike ballots and require picketers to give their names to police.

Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the TUC, said it would also allow the certification officer,

24 /

winter 2015

the government regulator for trade unions, to become the “investigator, judge and jury of trade union activity”.

In a speech warmly received by delegates the new Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said that a future Labour government will repeal the legislation if it became law and accused the conservative party of “declaring war” on unions.

Amid this intense media attention Congress voted in favour of motions put forward by Equity to help its members.

Equity’s delegation comprised Christine Payne (General Secretary), Charlotte Cornwell (vice president), Stephen Spence (assistant general secretary), Lynda Rooke, Adam Burns, Rachel

Birch Lawson and Louise McMullan.

Adam Burns proposed Equity’s motion for more childcare help in the creative industries. It argued that “parents are reporting significant difficulties accessing affordable, flexible childcare because within the creative industries unpredictable working patterns, last-minute recruitment practices, low earnings, a culture of presenteeism and regular travel are the norm.”

Equity’s General Secretary Christine Payne proposed the union’s motion on collective bargaining in the dance sector. She said: “More than £100m will be invested by Arts Council England in dance from 2015 to 2018, but only a small proportion of those who receive this

funding engage in collective bargaining with the informs, educates and entertains our citizens, dancers they employ. The companies in question while setting standards for commercial often give assurances that they meet minimum broadcasters to follow.” conditions set out in national collective Charlotte Cornwell highlighted Equity’s Stop agreements, but refuse to use the full union Arts Cuts campaign and spoke in support of agreement or enter negotiations with unions.

BECTU’s motion on public funding for the arts.

“We believe dancers deserve an input into the This described how much value the arts and terms and conditions they work on. This status cultural sector makes to the UK’s economy, quo is unacceptable: dancers must have health, well-being, society and education. The independent, collective representation in the motion said: “Music and performing and visual workplace. The nature of dance work makes it arts are growing faster than the general very difficult to achieve statutory recognition in economy, and now contribute £5.5bn, or five most companies; however, Equity’s Freelance per cent, of Gross Value Added, having Dance Network has been established to organise increased by 46 per cent in four years to 2013... dancers outside of the traditional workplaceyet the sector remains dependent on public specific context.” support from government and local authorities, Equity’s delegation also supported other which has been badly constrained by austerity. proposals. Louise McMullan seconded the More than 35% of councils have closed their Musicians’ Union’s motion on Fair Internet for arts services since 2010, and nine tenths of the Performers. This argued that: “Performers remainder are planning cuts.” bring life and soul to all types of artistic The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain General work – songs, films, TV programmes, motion on its Free is Not an Option Secretary dance, etc. However, their massive Christine Payne contribution to the success of the spoke about dancers’ creative industries has been rights in the seriously undervalued in the workplace modern digital environment.”

Lynda Rooke spoke in support of a Composite Motion on the future of the BBC, which stated: “The BBC is the cornerstone of the UK’s public service broadcasting system, delivering high quality content on TV, radio and online.

As a not-for-profit organisation, the BBC

campaign was seconded by Stephen Spence who also spoke about Equity’s Professionally Made, Professionally Paid campaign.

Other motions passed by Congress covered a range of issues including support for creative industry start-ups, stop and search, FIFA reform and the Fast Food Rights/Hungry for Justice campaigns. Emergency motions on Colombia and the BBC/Met Office contract were also agreed, as were TUC General Council statements on the current refugee crisis and the European Union.

Further news from Congress included that Christine Payne will continue to be automatically elected to the TUC General Council as Equity has more than 30,000 members. Christine also spoke at a Unions 21 fringe meeting The Rebalancing Act: How we create a fairer, more productive economy. She used the opportunity to talk about Equity’s campaigns to rebalance employment opportunities across the UK’s nations and regions, particularly in the television industry. Meanwhile, Stephen Spence spoke at the Morning Star fringe meeting Kill the Bill: Winning the Public Debate.

The TUC Congress 2016 will take place 11-14 September in Brighton.

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campaigns

Members march against arts cuts and in support of the BBC in Manchester during the Conservative Party conference

JOIN STOP ARTS CUTs CAMPAIGN MEMBERS MARCH IN MANCHESTER AS BUDGETS ARE SLASHED AT NATIONAL AND LOCAL LEVEL

Mark Thomas

The arts rely on decent levels of government investment to thrive. Commercial sales, private philanthropy and tax breaks play their part as icing on the cake but the bedrock of a successful mixed economy of the arts is decent government investment.

In recent times the arts have suffered a triple whammy with central government investment, national and regional investment and local council investment slashed as a result of austerity measures.

Every time that investment is scaled back the arts shudder and stall. Output is lost and the effects on the creative economy can be dramatic.

Every £1 invested in the arts generates £2 to £7 in return – depending on the exact art form supported. On these figures there was never an economic case to cut a single £1 from the levels of government investment.

The arts aren’t just some ethereal, feel-good factor for good times as our ten facts demonstrate.

The arts should not have to continually prove their value to government. It is an act of economic incompetence to cut budgets in the face of the known facts. Considering 25% to 40% further cuts, as this government is doing, is nothing short of cultural vandalism.

The first event under the Stop Arts Cuts banner was at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester on 4 October. Equity was part of a TUC-organised demonstration campaigning against the government’s austerity policies.

Actor Julie Hesmondhalgh (pictured) spoke from the platform and the North Lancashire and Cumbria branch organised a flash mob choir that sang Bread and Roses to conference delegates. Branch banners from across the country were present on the march.

Further events will be announced soon.

Meanwhile, send these Ten Facts about the arts to you local MP. Find them via www.theyworkforyou.com.

You can download these facts and further information from www.equity.org.uk/stop-arts-cuts

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winter

10 facts that defend the arts 1 The arts = popular: More people in Britain are engaged in the arts than in Premier League football 2 The arts = jobs: Employment in music, visual and performing arts stands at nearly a quarter of a million people and has grown by 14% between 2011 and 2013 3 The arts = wellbeing The Arts on Prescription initiative research study found that engagement with the arts resulted in positive outcomes for 78% of participants, through an increase in mental wellbeing 4 The arts = soft power In a recent global ranking of soft power by the Institute for Government, the UK came top (Source: The Soft Power 30 global index). Cultural engagement leads to a higher level of trust in the UK 5 The arts = ideas Subsidised theatre fuels risk-taking and talent development. The benefits of these in some cases stay within the subsidised sphere and in others branch out to the wider creative industries

Jermyn Street Theatre joins Professionally Made

6 The arts = growth The creative industries are important to our economy – worth £77bn or 5% of the UK’s GDP according to the latest figures from DCMS 7 The arts = regeneration Arts and cultural education can lead to higher earning and better job prospects (Source: Centre for Economics Business Research) 8 The arts = tourism In 2011, 10 million inbound visits to the UK involved engagement with the arts and culture, representing 32 per cent of all visits to the UK and 42 per cent of all inbound tourism-related expenditure (CEBR 2013) 9 The arts = education Students from low income families who take part in arts activities at school are three times more likely to get a degree than children from low income families that do not engage in arts activities at school 10 The arts = community Participation in the arts can contribute to community cohesion, reduce social exclusion and/or make communities feel safer

www.equity.org.uk

#LetItBeeb aims to protect BBC music UK Music, the umbrella organisation which represents a large proportion of the UK’s music industry, has launched a campaign called #LetItBeeb in support of the music services the BBC provides.

It is responding to the government’s recently published Green Paper on the future of the BBC that questioned the distinctiveness of what is being offered by the broadcaster.

UK Music believes the corporation’s music services should be protected and expanded and not fall victim to any financial cuts or organisational restructuring as part of the review of the BBC Charter.

Sign the petition to the UK government in order to ensure that music is protected and expanded for the future here: www.equity.org.uk/LetItBeeb

The Jermyn Street Theatre (JST) in central London has for the first time signed an agreement with Equity guaranteeing pay for all performers.

JST, one of London’s highest profile fringe venues, is the latest theatre to sign up to Equity’s Professionally Made Professionally Paid campaign.

The number of total signatories have now reached 15. The agreement guarantees actors and stage managers are paid for every hour they work, including rehearsals and performances, as well as other working rights such as paid holiday, proper breaks, and health and safety conditions.

The deal applies not only to plays produced by Jermyn Street itself but also to

any theatre companies bringing plays in to Jermyn Street Theatre. The agreement will form the basis of contracts for all performers and stage managers at Jermyn Street Theatre from September 2015.

Anthony Biggs, Artistic Director of Jermyn Street Theatre, said: “On behalf of Jermyn Street Theatre I am delighted to support this campaign. As an Equity member myself for more than 20 years I have huge respect for actors and stage managers. They are the life-blood of theatre, and they deserve to be paid fairly and treated properly.”

Find out more about Professionally Made Professionally Paid at www.equity.org.uk/made&paid

National committees meet to discuss action across the UK Representatives of Equity’s three national committees met together recently in Belfast to share campaigning activity. In Northern Ireland members have been writing to the Arts Minister and backing the arts matter NI lobby. Some 32 arts organisations, including Tinderbox, Kabosh and Lyric theatres, have been cut.

In Scotland members have been putting pressure on Creative Scotland and funded organisations to make progress on gender equality, and the Culture Counts

arts sector lobby has continued to campaign on behalf of Scottish performing arts, with Equity backing.

In Wales members are reacting to an investment review by the Welsh Arts Council which saw five organisations dropped from the funding portfolio, including dance companies Tan Dance and Earthfall. The Committee is keeping a close eye on television company S4C, which is now funded from the TV licence fee and is facing falling budgets.

winter 2015

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Letters...

the president writes

I was in Los Angeles last week attending a garden party for our members out there, hosted by Julia Ormond. It was the climax of a week of events (seminars, workshops) organised for them by Equity’s Matt Hood and Louise Grainger.

I also took part in a panel discussion at the SAG/AFTRA Biennial Convention.

studios pay for the audits! Very good deal, John and Laura.

The auditors were recommended to us

by SAG/AFTRA, a tiny example of how unions across the world support each other, as we all try to protect our members’ working lives. Incidentally, these benefits will also accrue to non-members who work on our contracts, so maybe they could be occasionally reminded why they should do the decent thing and join us.

The convention panel I was invited to join was on the globalisation of our industry. This phenomenon is not peculiar to our business of course; the over mighty power of corporations can endanger not only our work but even our democracies, as the TTIP Treaty being secretly negotiated between the US and the EU threatens. We trade unionists need to work together in mutual support if we are to have any chance of combating this.

I also attended the main SAG/AFTRA convention, including an inspiring report from the executive director, David White, to a packed house. I want to finish with

We want members in California to feel part of the ‘family’, to keep us abreast of what is going on there, because as sure as hell what is going on out there will be coming our way soon” Acronym alert! It translates as Screen Actors Guild/American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

Why make the effort to go all that way?

Firstly, our members who live and work in California pay their, sometimes substantial, dues and deserve some attention. We want them to remain in membership, to feel part of the ‘family’, to keep us abreast of what is going on out there, because as sure as hell what is going on out there will be coming our way soon.

Secondly, John Barclay and Laura Messenger from our recorded media department were also in town to make agreements with the studios there, and to further, with our brilliant local auditors, the audits of all the major studios to release literally millions of dollars owed to our members, that is, to you. In the past three years the union has obtained more than $15m for members. In addition, the

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winter 2015

something he said. I don’t have the graphics to hand that he had… but a particular image had a small circle labelled SAG/AFTRA, surrounded by five large numbered circles, each numbered circle being one of their campaigns. Our five circles might be BBC Love It or Lose It, Stop Arts Cuts, Live Entertainment Works, Diversity and Professionally Made Professionally Paid. David’s message was emphatic: concentrate on the five large circles, not on the small circle in the middle. A huge cheer went up from the body of the kirk!

I echo him: these large campaigns need our energy, imagination and commitment; the small Equity circle in the middle can be left alone for a while perhaps, with much less worrying about internal politics, rules, complaints and what have you.

David White is right. Onward.

Malcolm Sinclair

Get in touch Have you got something to say about your experience of Equity or the contents of the magazine?

We want to hear from you.

Please email or write to the editor via the contact information below: The Editor Guild House Upper St Martin’s Lane London WC2H 9EG Tel: 020 7379 6000 Fax: 020 7379 7001 Email: editorial@equity.org.uk Web: www.equity.org.uk

Bernard Jamieson

I wonder if any members can help in my quest to make contact with dancer Bernard Jamieson who, in the 60s and 70s, made his home in London’s Notting Hill together with his wife Angela and their three boys, Nick, Michael and Simon.

Angela, originally from Anglesey, was also a dancer.

Bernard performed in many London shows – in particular, Sweet Charity and Promises, Promises – and spent a few summer seasons in Edinburgh where he choreographed shows for Scottish comedian Jack Milroy at the King’s Theatre.

Latterly Bernard taught dancing in England and in Greece before I lost touch with him. He was a Kiwi and had a brother in his homeland and may have returned to New Zealand.

I’ve tried most of the listed Jamiesons in the London telephone directory but without success. If any members knew Bernard or know of his present whereabouts perhaps they could contact me on norman.christie@yahoo.co.uk

piece by piece. For the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) it is death by a thousand cuts, with a series of swingeing reductions in their budget.

Also the long form census was summarily abolished, removing a vital piece of demographic information from researchers forever. Science research funding has also faced severe cuts.

The motive appears to be to starve the populace of any information sources, since at the same time public access to information has been severely reduced, and a tight ring of secrecy has been drawn around the Cabinet and especially the Prime Minister’s Office.

We can only hope that in our autumn election the public will boot them out (even that is a challenge due to redrawn electoral boundaries and a misnamed Fair Elections Act), and Canada can return to being the open, flexible, peace-loving, culturally diverse country we have been known as for generations.

Madeleine Lefebvre

Committee elections I am appalled and outraged at the low turn-out in voting for the recent committee elections and I applaud – though I can’t approve – your generosity of spirit in never condemning or disapproving of it anywhere in the recent Equity magazine.

What is the matter with us that countless generations suffered valiantly in order to eventually attain rights for voters and for the establishment of unions only to end up with a nation that couldn’t care less or take less interest?

What a lazy, self-indulgent, spoilt people we have become. We deserve a

slap across the wrist rather than your benign, diplomatic avoidance of the issue. I despair.

With regret it is recorded that since the publication of the last edition of Equity magazine we have learned of the deaths of the following members:

Rosemary Frankau

Thanks for bursary I received the Equity Young Members Bursary last year. I would just like to say a big thank you a year on for the generous bursary I received and how grateful I was to be the recipient.

I have had a year full of highs and lows; the highs including a commercial, a CBBC show and three-month TIE tour as well as some small voiceover work and some unpaid filming for a friend.

After using the money to renew my Spotlight membership, Casting Call Pro, editing my showreel, buying play scripts, attending shows (as well as travel to more than 40 auditions!) I couldn’t quite afford to get my voice reel done but I still hope to achieve that before the end of 2015.

Due to my work as a nanny I often find it tricky to get to branch meetings, but I thoroughly enjoy reading their newsletter, the meeting minutes and the Equity magazine as well as applying for audition days and voting.

I will always be a strong supporter of Equity due to the support I received as a recent graduate and also because I know that there is an organisation sharing in my frustrations and joys when it comes to working in this industry.

I am always encouraging actor friends or younger acting students to become members as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, I have had poor health over the past few months and have been out of work, but it was great to see that this bursary is still in place to support others like myself as they start their careers. It was also an inspiring afternoon attending the Clarence Derwent awards.

Thank you again for everything.

Norman Christie

Eleanor Bennett

BBC and CBC

Well done Sara

I was saddened to read the comments by our President and our General Secretary about the BBC. It sounds all too much like what has been happening in Canada for quite some time.

Our government, ten years in power, has been systematically dismantling arts and culture (including federal libraries)

I am a jobbing actor and have yet to achieve any ‘fame’ but if I do I hope to follow the lead of Sara Pascoe who was interviewed in the Autumn edition of the Equity magazine. It’s very gratifying to see someone putting something back into the industry and fighting for her fellow performers.

www.equity.org.uk

In memoriam

Name supplied

Lynn Anderson, Patricia Authbert, Anthony Barrie, Tom Beard, Bernard Behrens, Angela Bevan, Joy Beverley, Theodore Bikel, Cilla Black, John Brandon, Julia Bretton, John Russell Brown, Gerald Bryce, Les Carlson, Judy Carne, George Carroll, Mark Cartier, Cha Cha, Don Chester, George (Edward) Cole, Jackie Collins, David Cook, Linda Cotterill, Richard Davies, Glyn Dawson, Gary Dean, Deckland De’niro, Jim Diamond, John Dodd, Sally Douglas, Jane Downs, Christopher Driscoll, Ludmila Dvorakova, Clifford Earl, Violetta Farjeon, Joe Fool, Eric E Forster, Colin Fry, Kay Gardner, Peter Garrett, Malcolm Gerard, Alex Giannini, Jack Gold, Ron Heathcote, Gordon Honeycombe, Gary Howe, Christine Hughes, Anne Hyde-Johnson, Jill Hyem, Lewis Jones, Julia Jones, Toby Lakin, Tamara Letendre, Stephen Lewis, Ted Longmore, Jo Manning Wilson, Colette Marchand, Kate McGeever, Sean McKee, Isabel Metliss, Brian Mitty, Graham Moore, Aubrey Morris, Nicholas Newman, Jonathan Ollivier, Adrian Ord, Natasha Parry, Michael Percival, Robin Phillips David Hugh Pitman, Olaf Krohn Pooley, Doreen Purchase, Roger Rees, John Richards, Barry Rocard, John Samson, Brian Sanders, Cengiz Saner, Alex Scott (i), Omar Sharif, Susan Sheridan, Hans Sinclair, Roy Street, Michael Stroud, Ronald Taylor, Jennifer Thorne, Jon Vickers, Derek Ware, Janet Whiteside, Julia WilsonDickson, Herbert Wise, Belinda Wright (i) not Alex Scott of Worksop 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

Branch update brighton & sussex general

north west london general

Date of next meeting: TBC Contact: Chris Webb 07973 466154

Date of next meeting: The first Saturday of the month, 10.30am, Central School of Speech and Drama 62-64 Eton Avenue, London NW3 3HY Contact: Elise Harris, eliseharris@gmail.com

bristol & west general Date of next meeting: Third Tuesday of month (exc August), 7.30pm. YHA, Bristol BS1 4QA Contact: equity.bristolwestgen@googlemail.com

south & se london general Next meeting: 21st November, 11am, Upstairs at the Young Vic Theatre Contact: Paul Valentine equitysselondon@gmail.com

cardiff & s wales general Date of next meeting: First Thursday of every month, 7.30pm. BBC Club Cardiff, CF5 2YQ Contact: Louisa stbbrown_morgan@hotmail.co.uk

west & sw london general Next meeting: Weds, 4 November 7pm at Seven Dials Club, 42 Earlham Street, London WC2H 9LA Contact: secretary.equity.wswlon@gmail.com

central england general Date of next meeting: 9 Nov, 7.30pm Upstairs at The Wellington Pub, 37 Bennetts Hill, Birmingham, B2 5SN Contact: David Edgar: davidedgar@gmx.co.uk

devon & cornwall general Next meeting: Third Sunday of the month at different venues around the two counties.

Contact: Nigel Howells, howellsnj@gmail.com

dorset general Next meeting: Third Thursday of every month, 7pm. Wessex FM studios. Dorchester Contact: chris-gallarus@hotmail.co.uk

east of scotland general Next meeting: TBC Contact: Catriona Joss, eastofscotlandequity@gmail.com

essex general Date of next meeting: Xmas meeting & social Sunday, 12 Oct, 1.30pm, The White Horse Braintree Contact: mhrson@yahoo.com

gtr manchester

& region

Next meeting: AGM on 24 Nov, 7pm at the Central Methodist Hall, Oldham St, Manchester Contact: David Corden, equity.nwegb@virgin.net

home counties west general Date of next meeting: AGM Tuesday 24 November, 7:30pm, South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell RG12 7PA Contact: Natalie Jenno on branch_sec_hcw@btinternet.com

Isle of Man General Branch

Next meeting: Christmas Social on Tuesday 22 December 2015 at 6pm, The Archibald Knox Inn, Onchan Contact: colyn@colyn.co.uk

Mark Thomas

kent general Date of next meeting: TBC usually at The Pound Westgate Towers Canterbury CT1 2BZ Contact: Marie Kelly 07703 207878, kellygreenproductions@hotmail.co.uk

32 /

winter 2015

Equity branches are your local meeting place to discuss the industry, share insights and influence the direction of the union.

Find your local branch at www.equity.org.uk/branches n&w yorkshire variety Date of next meeting: Every third Monday at 7.30pm at George IV pub, Birkenshaw BD11 2AH Contact: Valerie Jean Mann, val@mrstipsy.co.uk, 0113 285 3848

scottish variety Date of next meeting: TBC at Equity office, Glasgow G13QQ. Contact: Linda Rifkind, 0141 639 6969, l.rifkind@btinternet.com

south wales variety Date of next meeting: first Tuesday of every monthTyn y Twr Public House, Baglan, SA12 8AU, 7.30 Contact: Shelli Dawn, 01685 812779

south yorkshire variety Next meeting: AGM Thursday 12 Nov at 7pm Bridge Inn Greasbrough road Rotherham Contact: chuffinells@hotmail.com

thames variety branch Date of next meeting: TBC Contact: Deborah Charnley on debzcharnley@hotmail.com

west of england variety Date of meeting: 7.45pm, 9 Nov. Inn on the Green, Bristol Contact Mary Lane cllrmlane@equity.org.uk 07900 848003

yorkshire ridings general

Opening night Ian McKellen was the special guest at the launch of the union’s newest outpost, the oxford general branch

Next meeting: TBC Contact: Anthony Blakesley equity.yrgb@gmail.com

birmingham variety Date of next meeting: TBC Contact: john@jhprice.co.uk

blackpool variety Date of next meeting: 1st Tuesday of each month, 1pm, Blackpool Cricket Club, Stanley Park, FY3 9EQ Contact: Chris Cotton, 07941 550315

coventry & leicester variety

T

he official launch of the Oxford General Branch took place on 19 October. Guests of honour were Equity Trustee Ian McKellen and the union’s vice president Charlotte Cornwell. They both spoke to a packed audience from the stage of the Oxford Playhouse about the value of the union.

Branch secretary Allan Webb said: “It was a splendid evening. We have got tremendous momentum and are ready to work with members across a range of issues. Oxford is an artistic and cultural

liverpool general branch Next meeting: 4 Nov, 6.30pm Everyman Theatre Contact: Cath Rice, equityliverpool@gmail.com

milton keynes general Date of next meeting: TBC Contact: Rachel Dobell on mkanddistrict. equitybranch@gmail.com

northern ireland branch Date of next meeting: TBC Contact: Vicky Blades vickyblades@gmail.com

centre but this is the first time it has had its own branch and we are excited to get going.”

Pictured above are the branch committee and guests of honour: Richard Duployen, Thomas Bewley, Juliet Dante, Paul Mead, Richard Grayson, Ian McKellen, Charlotte Cornwell, Jeanne Golding, Noni Harrison and Allan Webb.

oxford general branch Date of next meeting: TBC Contact: oxfordequity@gmail.com

north lancashire & cumbria general Next meeting: TBC Contact: Peter Rylands on peter.rylands@btinternet.com

ne of england general branch Date of next meeting: 1st Tuesday of each month (excl. Aug & Dec) 6:30pm Northern Stage, Barras Bridge, Newcastle NE1 7RH Contact: Sue Reid, reidsuereid@aol.com

north

& east london general

Next meeting: 10.30am 14 November at The Park Theatre, Park 90, Finsbury Park Contact: Nicola Hawkins nel.equity@gmail.com

www.equity.org.uk

Date of next meeting: 16 Nov, 8pm, Stoke Coventry Club 7 Stoke Green CV31FP Contact: Sheila Payne: sheila.rodgers@btinternet.com

east anglia variety Next meeting: AGM16 November, 8pm, The Canary Social Club, 104 Thorpe Road Norwich NR11RT Contact: Peachy Mead, peachymead@f2s.com

east midlands variety Date of next meeting: TBC usually Headstocks, Cinderhill/Bagnall Road junction, NG6 8SF Contact: Alan Jefferies 0115 9397536, ajeffe8001@aol.com

Merry by the Mersey The MERSEYSIDE VARIETY BRANCH is a welcoming group of members that hold regular fundraising shows

humberside variety branch Date of next meeting: 7 December Highfield House Scunthorpe DN15 6NT 7.30pm Contact: Christie Clifford, equityvbn4@msn.com

manchester & district variety Date of next meeting: 16th November at 7.30pmMonroes Hotel, 38 London Road, Manchester M1 2PS . Contact: Yvonne Joseph, vonniegerry@btinternet.com

ne of england variety Date of meeting: 7.30pm, last Tuesday of the month, The Alberta Social Club, Jarrow.

Contact Steve McGuire. 01207238258, sirstephen2001us@yahoo.co.uk

T

he Merseyside Variety Branch was established shortly after the amalgamation between Equity and the Variety Artistes Federation in 1967, making it one of the earliest formed.

The branch is particularly pleased to have witnessed many young people entering the profession and going on to develop very successful careers. Many of whom graduated from the acclaimed Liverpool Theatre School.

Fundraising shows for the branch are held regularly with the next one

scheduled for Tuesday 1 December in the Pearce Suite of the Adelphi Hotel from 7.30pm until midnight, featuring five top acts. A percentage of the profits wil be donated to the Age UK charity and all are welcome.

merseyside variety Date of next meeting: Second Monday of month, 7pm, Adelphi Hotel Ranelagh St, Liverpool, Merseyside L3 5UL Contact: Les O’Neill, lesoneill@hotmail.com

winter 2015

/ 33

ACTORS’ BENEVOLENT FUND CHRISTMAS CARDS

special attention

recently added Simon Gross – SG Productions Ltd Mark Turner: Turnstone Casting Denis Stevenson: Bugle Boy Productions Michael Jago:19th Hole Hospitality Ltd John Paul James: Lolfa Lounge Matthew Hampson: M&M Associate Productions Limited Vanessa Beamont: Christopher Beamont Maggie Montieth: BITT Film Co Ltd AGENTS A ADP Entertainments (David Hunter), Allied Artists Management (Andy Grover), A M Artists (Ann Molloy), And Action Management (Alan Elliott), Anglo Artists Management,Robin Answych (Briarcom Ltd), Arena PromotionsLtd (1).

B James Balfour (2), Bruce Benson Associates Ltd, Berry London Associates Ltd (Ceri Berry), Briarcom Ltd (Robin Answych), Paul Bridgewood (Xtabi Entertainments), Buchanans (3).

C CADS Management (Terry Smith), Alan Chamberlain, Dee Christopholous (Millennium).

D Patrick Duncan (Dealers Agency).

E Alan Elliott (And Action Management).

G Geoff Gibbons (Nightfall Entertainments), Jo Gilbert Associates (JGA Theatrical International), Peter Graham Associates (4), Andy Grover (Allied Artists Management).

H Heals Entertainment (Philipa Sage), Rob Holloway, Mark Hudson Associates (5), David Hunter (ADP Entertainments), Fran Hurley.

J Jukes Entertainment Agency, JGA Theatrical International (Jo Gilbert Associates).

L Robert Lang Associates; Robert Lyndsey-Wilson (Gold Agency).

M Millennium (Dee Christopholous, Jacqueline Whelan)(6), Ann Molloy (A M Artists), Roland Mowlam (Celebrity Marketing).

O Ordinary People Ltd (Sarah Robbie).

R Malcolm Rae Associates, Marco Rasala (Actors Inc. Real Creatives), Patrick Rimmel (RP Management), Michael Van Rindt (aka Anglo Artists Management/Anglo Americor Ltd), Sarah Robbie (Ordinary People Ltd).

S Philipa Sage (Heals Entertainment), Jonathan Sands (Agency L’Image), Terry Smith (CADS Management), T Peter Talbot Agency (7) W Jacqueline Whelan (Millennium).

X Xtabi Entertainments (Paul Bridgewood).

VARIETY a Shona Adams (Juliet Adams Agency), Tony Adams trading as Secret Circus, William Adkins (Williams Organisation). Anne Young b Kevin Bearne aka Cefn De Bearne (Labyrinth Productions) c Capital VIP Group, Scotty Clark trading as Clark Sutherland Arts & Entertainments, Karen Lesley Clarke – Williams Organisation, Steve Cox— Pizzazz Productions, Crazy Horses Entertainment (Martin Marhall), Richard Curson (Tangible Media Limited). d Ray Dalton (Excel Entertainments).

Michael Durber AKA Mick Appleyard (Appleyard Entertainment) . D4M

34 /

Limited (Julia Charles). Dean Pomoroy e Eddie Bloom – Bloom Festival, Elchris Group, EUB2B Limited g Mark Greenhouse (Wendy House Productions), Roy Gurvitz (Lost Vagueness Limited). h Barry Hawkins, Fran Hurley, Gerald Leslie Hemming (Hemmings Leisure) j Kerry Jacks (The White Lion, Swandlicote), Don Jones Organisation (9). Julia Charles (D4M Limited) k Phil Knight (Street Leisure Ltd) l Tommy Laughton, Labyrinth Productions (Kevin Bearne aka Cefn De Bearne), Rochelle Leader (Top Hat International), Lost Vagueness Limited – Roy Gurvitz. m Martin Marshall (Crazy Horses Entertainment Consultants), Mr and Mrs Melville (The Fish Out Of Water Restaurant), Gabriel Bauza Munar (Ponsa Espectaculos) N New Time Entertainment Ltd — Cyprus (Panos Gerou) o Oliver Barton Entertainments & Productions (Michael Slater, Stan Smith (8). p Panos Gerou (New Time Entertainment Ltd Cyprus). Peter Snee, Yorkshire’s Magical Winterland 2014 Ltd r Warren Rix s Secret Circus (Tony Adams), Michael Slater—Oliver Barton Entertainments & Productions, Stan Smith (8), Soho Set Dance Revue (Tony Sharman), Street Leisure Ltd (Phil Knight). t Tangible Media Ltd– Richard Curson, Top Hat International – Rochelle Leader. Thomas Hopkins u Untouched Entertainments – Marc Williams and Janine Wright.

W Alistair Watts Entertainment, Wendy House Productions (Mark Greenhouse), White Lion, Swandlicote (Kerry Jacks), Williams Organisation (William Adkins and Karen Lesley Clarke), Marc Williams and Janine Wright – Untouched Entertainments.

Mike Hobman. i Tommy Iwering (Piccadilly Productions), Brian Izzard (Knaveacre Productions). j Andrew Jenkins and Paddy Wilson (One for the Road). JGA Theatrical International. k Robert Kennedy, FA Ketcher (Quick Tour Ltd), Khoros Productions Ltd (Sally Davis & Sylvia Swann) (10), Knaveacre Productions (Brian Izzard).

L Stephen Leatherland & Karie Musson (Standing Ovations Ltd, Theatremaster Ltd, Theatre 1st Ltd). m Minera Productions (Michael TyeWalker), Graham Mulvein (Graham Mulvein Holdings Ltd).

N Nowell Wallace & Carole Le Foll (Sudden Productions and Rough Edges Productions) o One for the Road (Paddy Wilson and Andrew Jenkins). r Stephen Rayne (Shakespeare UK), John Redgrave.

RecklessEntertainment. Richard Temple (Richard Temple Ltd) s Shakespeare UK (Stephen Rayne), Sylvia Swann (Khoros Productions Ltd Sally Davis) (10). Street of Dreams Ltd t Terry Finnegan Productions, Theatrical Productions Ltd (Peter Baldwin) (9), Michael Tye-Walker (Minera Productions). w West Midlands Children’s Theatre Company (Michael Coffman), Sarah Jane Worrell and Ian Worrell (BAF Productions). Paddy Wilson and Andrew Jenkins (One for the Road Ltd).

FILM AND TELEVISION

A Adrian Monahan (Stage Works Theatre Company) b BAF Productions (Sarah Jane Worrell and Ian Worell); Peter Baldwin (Theatrical Productions Ltd) (9), Jayson Alexander Bartlett , Blue Genie (Gary Telfer ) c Michael Coffman (West Midlands Children’s Theatre Company). d Sally Davies (Khoros Productions Ltd) (10). f Henry Filloux-Bennett, Stephen James Makin (Le Nez Productions) g Gary Telfer (Blue Genie) h Bryan Hands Productions Ltd, Hierographics Productions Co Ltd,

c Chancery Lane Films Ltd (Joseph Brooks), Communication Interlink Ltd (Simon McCarthy). d Philip D Deighton (Spectacular Sounds Ltd). Deene Naz (Summertime Pictures) E Elchris Group h Barrie Hawkins. l Liberations Productions (Warren Bader). m Simon McCarthy (Communication Interlink Ltd), Alan Macdonald, Mapleton Films Ltd, Mercury Films And Video, John Mortimer Video Promotions (11).

N Naila Mughal: Virgo Entertainment Limited p Palm Tree Production (Robbie Moffat) r Robbie Moffat (Palm Tree Production Ltd). s Spectacular Sounds Ltd (Philip D Deighton), Stuart and Graham Productions. Sisterhood TV Ltd t TVE Productions Ltd: Richard Bednall.

PLEASE NOTE (1) not Arena Touring Theatre Ltd or Arena Personal Management Ltd (2) not James Balfour, an Equity member in good standing (3) not Bronia Buchanan of Buchanan Associates, London (4) not Graham Associates of West Yorkshire (5) not Mark Hudson, an Equity member in good standing (6) not Millennium Actors Agency

Personal Management (7) not Peter Talbot of the Rude Mechanical Theatre Company (8) not Stan Smith of Saatchi & Saatchi advertising agency (9) not Peter Baldwin, an Equity member in good standing (10) not Sally Davies, an Equity

member in good standing (11) not John Mortimer, an Equity member in good standing

THEATRE

winter 2015

Live performance Help desk Bullying reporting line Advice and rights helpline Subscription enquiries British Equity Collecting society

020 7670 0237 020 7670 0268 020 7670 0223 020 7670 0207 020 7670 0350

HEAD OFFICE Guild house, Upper St Martin’s Lane, London WC2H 9EG Tel: 020 7379 6000 Fax: 020 7379 7001 Email: info@equity.org.uk Web: www.equity.org.uk

The Actors’ Benevolent Fund exists to help actors and stage managers unable to work through accident, illness, or old age. Our cards help in two ways: not only through the sales, but also by reminding people of the work of the ABF. This year we are retaining free UK p&p, and we also have previous years’ cards on sale at bargain prices online and in the shop.

We hope you can support us this year.

EQUITY OFFICERS (Officers direct line: 020 7670 0263) Malcolm Sinclair President Ian Barritt Vice President Charlotte Cornwell Vice President Bryn Evans Honorary Treasurer EQUITY STAFF Telephone: To call a member of Equity’s head office dial 020 7379 6000 and at the prompt press the asterix and dial the three figure extension in brackets after the relevant name below.

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 GENERAL SECRETARY’S Department (fax 020 7379 6074) Christine Payne General Secretary (155) Duncan Smith Head of Finance (130) Louise McMullan Policy Development Officer & Assistant to General Secretary (160) Hamida Ali Equalities & Diversity Organiser (173) Stephen Spence

1. IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

ST A IM A G E C

scotland AND Northern Ireland office Lorne Boswell Scotland and Northern Ireland Drew McFarlane Organisers Equity, 114 Union Street, Glasgow G1 3QQ tel: 0141 248 2472 email: scotland@equity.org.uk

northernireland@equity.org.uk

Inside: With Every Good Wish for Christmas and the New Year 128 x 180mm £4.99

5CA2465ACBF 06/05/2015 11:30 Page 1

RECORDED MEDIA (fax 020 7836 5313) John Barclay Department head & PACT TV Organiser (146) Ian Bayes BBC TV Organiser (152) Laura Messenger Films & Contract Enforcement Organiser (149) Cathy Sweet ITV & Radio Organiser (153) Tim Gale TV Commercials Organiser (145)

south East office Will Holmes South East Organiser Equity, Upper St Martin’s Lane, WC2H 9EG tel: 020 7670 0229 email: southeastengland@equity.org.uk

by Edward de Souza

Inside: Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year A5 (148 x 210mm) £4.99

LIVE PERFORMANCE (fax 020 7670 0265) Hilary Hadley Department head, Opera & Dance Organiser (136) Mike Day Variety Organiser (135) Virginia Wilde West End Organiser (139) Paul Fleming London Area Theatre Organiser (138) Emmanuel de Lange Low Pay No Pay Organiser (137) Beth Doran Organising Assistant (134)

COMMUNICATIONS & MEMBERS SUPPORT (fax 020 7240 6341) Martin Brown Assistant General Secretary (159) Matt Hood Department head, C&MS (166) Phil Pemberton Campaigns and Publications Officer (111) Louise Grainger Marketing and Training Officer (114) Emma Cotton Tax & Welfare Rights Officer (151) Alan Lean Tax and Welfare Rights Organiser (157) Martin Kenny Legal Claims Referral Officer (125) Steve Rice Recruitment Organiser (172) Andrew Whiteside Recruitment Organiser 0161 244 5995

2. O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL

by Grant Cathro

Assistant General Secretary, Industrial and Organising (133)

Yippee! it’s Christmas

by Clive Francis Original painting used by kind permission of the artist. ©2015 Clive Francis

Y

Members are instructed in their own interests to consult the Equity office before accepting engagements with or through any of the names on this list. In most cases, names are included because the individual, company or agency has owed or still owes members money. In other cases, entrants have refused to use our contracts and place the necessary deposits or put money in escrow. In some cases, money will have been secured for members through the courts or through the disputes procedures under our various contracts. These entrants remain so members can check with the Equity office that the correct procedures have been undertaken in respect of engagements offered.

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Penguin penguin sliding on the ice freezing your tootsies can’t be very nice

it’s ChristmaLs I N G D E S I G N 5CA2465ACBF © L ING D ESIGN L TD T EL : +44 (0)1892 838574 www.lingdesign.co.uk

3. YIPPEE! IT’S CHRISTMAS

by Clive Francis Inside: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year A6 (148 x 105mm) £4.99

4. STARLIGHT NATIVITY

5. PENGUIN

by Alison McGarrigle

by Spike Milligan

Inside: Wishing You A Very Happy Christmas 137 x 137mm £4.99

Inside: Peace on Earth A5 (148 x 210mm) £4.99

North West office Jamie Briers North West Organiser Express Networks, 1 George Leigh Street, Manchester M4 5DL tel: 0161 244 5995 email: northwestengland@equity.org.uk North East office Max Beckmann North East Organiser Express Networks, 1 George Leigh Street, Manchester M4 5DL tel: 0161 244 5995 email: mbeckmann@equity.org.uk Wales and South West office Simon Curtis Wales & South West Organiser Equity, Transport House, 1 Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF11 9SD tel: 029 2039 7971 email: wales@equity.org.uk

southwestengland@equity.org.uk Midlands office Tim Johnson Midlands Organiser Equity, Office 1, Steeple House, Percy Street, Coventry CV1 3BY tel: 02476 553612 email: midlands@equity.org.uk EQUITY MAGAZINE EDITORIAL (fax 020 7836 5976) Phil Pemberton tel: 020 7670 0211 email: ppemberton@equity.org.uk EQUITY MAGAZINE PRINTING Jeremy Littlestone, TUInk, tel: 07810 825970 email: jeremy@tuink.co.uk EQUITY MAGAZINE ADVERTISING Lisa Ottway, Sales Manager, Ottway Media Solutions tel: 07958 046 147 email: lisa@ottwaymediasolutions.com 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.

6. Bargain Packs

£2.99 per pack

7. SEASON’S REASONS!

by Jeremy Swan Inside: Season’s Greetings A5 (210 x 148mm) £4.99

All prices include free UK p&p and VAT. Prices quoted per pack of 10 cards and envelopes.

More details & ordering from: Website - www.actorsbenevolentfund.co.uk By phone - 020 7379 6460 Email enquiries - abftrading@abf.org.uk Actors’ Benevolent Fund, 6 Adam Street, London, WC2N 6AD. ABF Trading Ltd (Registered company no:3589944) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Actors’ Benevolent Fund (Registered Charity no: 206524) to which it gives 100% of its taxable profits.

(Group VAT no: 726871801)