Category Archives: Theatre and Live Events data

Martyn’s Law

Posted on May 2, 2023 by Paul Evans

Under new legislation, venues will be expected to take some responsibility to consider the threat from terrorism and implement appropriate and proportionate mitigation measures. Known as ‘Martyn’s Law’ it will place a requirement on those responsible for certain venues to … Continue reading →

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Theatre skills shortages at a ‘tipping point’

Posted on January 4, 2023 by Paul Evans

The Stage recently picked up on Bectu’s research around skills shortages in theatre [£], in which they quoted us saying that, unless long and unsocial working hours were addressed, the skills shortage in the industry would reach a “tipping point”. … Continue reading →

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Theatres’ approach to the mourning period following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Posted on September 9, 2022 by Paul Evans

The British Theatres employer’s bodies have outlined their approach to opening during the mourning period following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The date of the funeral is yet to be announced but this offers a general overview. … Continue reading →

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Professionally Made, Professionally Paid – Equity campaign

Posted on April 7, 2022 by Paul Evans

Just a quick bookmark for an excellent bit of campaigns literature from Bectu’s sister union Equity – Professionally Made, Professionally Paid – an important part of the steps unions are taking to promote a professional attitude to the arts against … Continue reading →

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Global standard for safe listening venues and events – World Health Organisation guide

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Paul Evans

The World Health Organisation has published a global standard for safe listening venues and events. It’s a guide to governments, public health agencies, those involved in the creation, distribution, and amplification of music, the private sector, civil society, and everywhere … Continue reading →

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Freelancers Make Theatre Work

Posted on March 31, 2022 by Paul Evans

Freelancers Make Theatre Work is an organisation that came into being in 2020. They did their first freelance survey in June of that year called The Big Freelancer Survey. At the time, 9000 freelancers signed up to their platform, and … Continue reading →

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Travelling to work in the EU (updated)

Posted on January 27, 2022 by Paul Evans

Post updated 27/01/22 I started writing this post because I was quite annoyed that there wasn’t any straightforward advice on travelling to work from the UK to the EU. Also, as far as I can see, Brexit will hit freelancers … Continue reading →

Posted in EU & Brexit, Film & TV industry policy, Freelance working, Theatre and Live Events data | Tagged , | 4 Comments

MPs to debate enabling visa and permit-free working for musicians in the EU

Posted on November 19, 2021 by Paul Evans

Following an online petition – “Seek Europe-wide Visa-free work permit for Touring professionals and Artists” – that received 286,797 signatures, MPs will hold a general debate on enabling visa / permit-free working for musicians in the EU on Thursday 18 … Continue reading →

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Why ‘the freelance deal’ is a big deal – and not just for the workers concerned.

Posted on November 18, 2021 by Paul Evans

There’s a long read on this site about the ‘contingent production army’ that manages large parts of the entertainment industry. Thinking about this issue, and processing it has allowed me to get a clearer idea of what our grievances are … Continue reading →

Posted in Bullying and Harassment, Disability equality, Employment, Employment Law and Rights, Employment status, Equality, Freelance working, Freelancer rights, Gender equality, Gig economy workers, Health & Safety, IR35, Long hours, Management, Mental Health, National Insurance Contributions (NICs), Occupational Health, Personal Service Companies, Productivity, Race equality, Tax, Theatre and Live Events data | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reducing the carbon footprint of UK theatre

Posted on November 9, 2021 by Paul Evans

The LPD Member Forum had a good presentation from the Sustainability Working Group and I’ve already posted something here about film and TV industry initiatives on sustainability. The Theatre Trust also publish a Theatre Green Book – the second edition … Continue reading →

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Updated version of theatre ’10 Principles’ supported by Bectu

Posted on November 1, 2021 by Paul Evans

Today, with Bectu’s support, SOLT and UK Theatre have released an updated version of their 10 Principles for creating safe and inclusive working spaces in the theatre industry, to help tackle bullying, harassment, and discrimination. Bectu have joined a number … Continue reading →

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CoViD cases to fall in the run-up to Christmas?

Posted on October 29, 2021 by Paul Evans

There’s some cautious optimism from Sage about falling numbers of cases in the lead-up to Christmas, though the PM has been warned by Patrick Vallance that he must be prepared to trigger Plan B if needed. Plan B (basically, a … Continue reading →

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The budget and the theatre – more detail

Posted on October 29, 2021 by Paul Evans

After a bit of time to digest the budget statement, there are a few things to chew over. Firstly, the backdrop is one of uncertainty. Productions are just not opening up due to pandemic-related uncertainty, and there seems to be … Continue reading →

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Bectu engagement with external Health & Safety structures

Posted on October 26, 2021 by Paul Evans

Our Health and Safety Committee has been inactive since the start of the pandemic (though this will change shortly) and Prospect have their NEC Health and Safety committee that continues under the stout stewardship of Chris Warburton. In the meantime, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bullying and Harassment, Coronavirus, EU & Brexit, Film & TV industry data, Health & Safety, Long hours, Management, Mental Health, Occupational Health, Remote working, Safe working practices, Safe working standards, The working environment, Theatre and Live Events data, Trades Unions, Wellbeing, Work-life balance | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Bluffer’s guide: Cabotage

Posted on October 22, 2021 by Paul Evans

Everyone interested in touring or doing work abroad is likely to start talking about ‘cabotage’ at some point soon (if they haven’t already). See also ‘Carnet’ (watch this space!) As a Seasoned Professional, you will need to be able to … Continue reading →

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Visa-free short-term touring allowed in 20 EU countries

Posted on October 18, 2021 by Paul Evans

The government website is saying that… “20 Member States have confirmed they offer visa and work permit free routes for UK musicians and performers. These countries are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, … Continue reading →

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Vaccinated or a negative CoViD test – new guidance in Wales

Posted on October 15, 2021 by Paul Evans

From Monday 11th October new rules came into force in Wales requiring people attending large events and nightclubs (or similar premises) to prove they are either fully vaccinated or have had a negative COVID test. You can read guidance here … Continue reading →

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Women leaving the theatre sector after the pandemic?

Posted on October 11, 2021 by Paul Evans

An interesting-if-depressing report here (reported in The Guardian): “The research, conducted by playwright Jennifer Tuckett, in partnership with organisations such as The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain, Equity, Stage Directors UK and the December Group, found that more than 98% … Continue reading →

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Vaccination mandates

Posted on October 7, 2021 by Paul Evans

While, in the UK, there’s no formal legal requirement for workers outside the care sector to be vaccinated, in LA, Variety is reporting that punters will need proof of vaccination to enter… “…restaurants of any kind (fast food establishments, coffee … Continue reading →

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Theatre employment problems must be a trigger for change

Posted on October 5, 2021 by Paul Evans

In this report (in The Stage [£]) about ongoing turmoil at The Barbican, there’s this: “Theatre workers with transferable skills transferred them. Now, they don’t appear to be rushing to transfer them back. Practically every producer and theatre manager I … Continue reading →

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VAT gradually returning to normal rates

Posted on October 5, 2021 by Paul Evans

Since July 2020, there has been a reduced rate of VAT (5%, and not the normal 20%) charged on transactions in the leisure and hospitality sectors (which includes theatres and live events – a list of who it applies to … Continue reading →

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Women more likely to leave the Theatre sector post-pandemic

Posted on September 23, 2021 by Paul Evans

A survey [pdf], earlier this year, by Parents and Carers in the Performing Arts (PIPA) highlights a survey it did of members, which showed that 43% of parents or carers were considering abandoning their career because of the pandemic. The … Continue reading →

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Philippa Childs to Nadine Dorries: “Challenge bullying and harassment and support freelancers”

Posted on September 23, 2021 by Paul Evans

The Stage[£] has picked up on the Head of Bectu’s letter to incoming Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries. Philippa has outlined what the union believes the priorities should be, specifically… Tackling bullying and harassment in the creative industries. Supporting workers and … Continue reading →

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Bectu Theatre Freelance Branch push for gender equity

Posted on September 23, 2021 by Paul Evans

Building on a strong piece in The Stage [£] from earlier this year by Catherine Kodicek, she has another article in this week that gives good coverage for the new Bectu Theatre Freelancers Branch talking about gender equity. “BECTU does … Continue reading →

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Arts, entertainment and recreation 18.8% below its pre-covid levels

Posted on September 16, 2021 by Paul Evans

The ONS monthly estimate for July shows that the UKs Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by only 0.1% in July and is still 2.1% below its pre-pandemic level. Most of the growth was in production output (up 1.2%) while construction … Continue reading →

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Useful material when thinking and campaigning about creative sector issues

Posted on September 13, 2021 by Paul Evans

I’ve posted a few links in recent days to the Nesta Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre, but the whole site and org are worth keeping an eye on if you’re interested in that kind of thing. It’s very high-quality … Continue reading →

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BECTU declares ‘biggest push’ in its history to improve freelancers’ rights

Posted on September 13, 2021 by Paul Evans

If you don’t want it from the horse’s mouth, you can get it from The Stage [£]. “BECTU has launched a new branch for theatre freelancers, which it says is the biggest push in the union’s history to improve the … Continue reading →

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Government theatre and live events insurance – “worst fears confirmed”

Posted on September 10, 2021 by Paul Evans

The Stage [£] is reporting that the government scheme, first announced in August, and described by ministers as an “important next step” in the return of live events, has been widely panned by theatre producers for not going far enough … Continue reading →

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Panto 2021-2 revenues expecting a hit

Posted on September 2, 2021 by Paul Evans

From The Stage [£]: “Theatres in the UK and Ireland could lose up to £23 million this Christmas due to a steep drop in pantomime ticket sales, which are lagging significantly behind previous years, according to newly published data.” It … Continue reading →

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Post-lockdown mental health concerns among theatre workers

Posted on September 1, 2021 by Paul Evans

From The Stage [£]: “Half of backstage workers are considering leaving their career and more than two thirds do not think that employers have put adequate mental health support in place for their post-Covid return to work, according to a … Continue reading →

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RSC to offer socially distanced musicals for audiences reluctant to attend a full-capacity show

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Paul Evans

This will be happening in November and December, and audiences will be seated with an empty row in front of and behind them, and with one empty seat between parties, and with everyone (barring exempted people) asked to wear a … Continue reading →

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Theatre Tax Relief paid out £74 million to 3,660 productions last year

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Paul Evans

According to The Stage [£]… “This represents a £3 million increase on the figure paid out in 2019/20, which was £71 million, and comes amid calls for the tax credit to be increased to help the sector recover after the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation & VFX, Culture policy, EU & Brexit, Factual & Entertainment sector data, Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, Film & TV industry policy, High End TV data, Public Service Broadcasting, Quotas, Regulation, Skills & capacity, SVoD, Tax, Tax incentives, Theatre and Live Events data | Tagged | Leave a comment

Covid and live events – lockdowns may not be over yet

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Paul Evans

… and in direct contradiction of the previous post here, the live events industry was very pleased to hear that Spanish studies had shown that live events could happen without a significantly increased risk of Covid transmission, but times may … Continue reading →

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Covid – mass participation events “can be conducted safely”

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Paul Evans

The Stage is reporting [£] that the government’s Covid pilot programme data has allowed the government to claim that mass participation events “can be conducted safely”, with case numbers from four months of crowds remaining in line with, or below, … Continue reading →

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Bingo venues also take covid profit-hit

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Paul Evans

The FT is reporting [£] that Rank Group (Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos) are facing a pre-tax loss of £107m (they had a £13.4m profit the previous year). Quoting their CEO, John O’Reilly… “Last year was rotten, we were shut … Continue reading →

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