Equity stands with Actors' Equity and the Disneyland Entertainment cast members! Show your solidarity by signing their petition here: tinyurl.com/2p3a2em8
Equity Kent Branch
@equitykentbranch.bsky.social
Kent branch of the Equity Union, UK
If you can make it to @thehouseofsmalls.bsky.social before the 30th August, please check out the ALMA/DOLL operatic installation. For anyone who can’t get to Edinburgh this month, you can watch a virtual installation via my website. Available this month only!
✅ Improved weekly pay ✅ Better notice of scheduling ✅ Clearer terms & conditions Negotiations begin now. Full story: tinyurl.com/2aw46v2c less
Opera singers demand better pay and work-life balance as negotiations begin
Opera singers are demanding improved pay, work-life balance and clarity of their terms and conditions.
tinyurl.com
"For too long [opera singers] have seen their pay stagnate, whilst being expected to show ever more flexibility." - Lottie Stables, Equity Singers & Dancers Official Today we submitted our claim to UK Theatre/SOLT on behalf of opera singers across the UK, calling for:
We're only 6 weeks out from Manchester Village Pride 🏳️🌈 and we're renewing our call to Bev Craig – current leader of Manchester City Council and Labour’s candidate for Mayor of Greater Manchester – to ensure performers who are owed money for last year’s Manchester Pride are paid for their work.
Owed money by Leicester Comedy Festival? We've secured full payment for a number of members but believe there are those yet to get in touch. In light of the news that the festival's parent company are in financial difficulty, we urge members to get in touch ASAP with Ian at imanborde@equity.org.uk
Our response to the news that Oldham Coliseum won't now open until 2027. The historic venue has been shut for refurbishment since being saved from closure in 2024, following a community campaign that Equity was proud to be part of. Full story: tinyurl.com/OldhamC-2027
Disabled performers face significant barriers to the industry. Meanwhile non-disabled actors continue to be cast in disabled roles, denying jobs to disabled performers. Following a motion from our Deaf & Disabled Committee we have committed to advocate for the Disability Conscious Casting Framework.
See also: Lynda Rooke's recent re-election made her the longest serving female President in which trades union’s history? 💅
Vote YES for better pay and conditions in the West End ✅ Equity have now reached an agreement on pay and conditions in the West End 👉Eligible members will vote on whether to accept the offer in an online ballot that is now OPEN www.equity.org.uk/news/2026/equity-members-vote-on-west-end-pay-offer
Do you think the law around AI needs to change? Equity has been working closely with our sister unions in the BEAU All-Party Parliamentary Group to put AI regulation firmly on the Government's agenda. A huge thanks to Rachael Maskell MP for raising this important issue in commons last week!
Equity has elected its President, Council, Appeals Committee and Conference Business Committee for 2026-2028. Lynda Rooke has been re-elected to serve as Equity's President for a third term. www.equity.org.uk/news/2026/lynda-rooke-re-elected-as-president-and-council-and-key-committees-announced
Lynda Rooke re-elected as President and Council and key committees announced | Equity
equity.org.uk
"Andy Burnham must deliver real joy for Britain" - Equity General Secretary Paul W Fleming writes for @leftfootforwardonline on why "a Burnham government must change more than just vibes" Read it here https://tinyurl.com/53jhebaj
ICYMI: Brighton Hippodrome is to reopen as a performance venue operated by Academy Music Group, after previously topping a list of the UK’s most endangered theatres for nine years running. Read more 👇
Brighton Hippodrome to reopen as music venue after 20 years
thestage.co.uk
We're aware of casting scams, where nude self-tapes are requested, by those impersonating Take 3 Agency, Mass Talent Agency, Warner Bros and La Mer. Check carefully & verify the email domain when anyone gets in touch directly about a casting. Never agree to self-tapes or auditions involving nudity
Learning traditional Chinese ribbon dancing from Kent Branch member Ling at our recent branch meeting. Next meeting 25 July, venue TBC.
The results are in... ✊ 98% of current West End workers voted YES to supporting strike action on an 89% turnout in Equity’s indicative ballot. ✊ 99% of all West End workers from the past three years voted YES to back Equity’s claim. www.equity.org.uk/news/2026/we...
West End workers vote YES for strike action in Equity indicative ballot | Equity
Performers and stage management across the West End have voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking strike action and to back Equity’s claim in negotiations, in an indicative ballot aimed at moving talk...
equity.org.uk
Thea Musgrave Thea wrote the aria, 'Orlando’s return to London….as a WOMAN)', specially for Andrew Watts. Andrew Watts (countertenor) and Gavin Roberts (piano) Folkestone New Music 7.30pm Thursday 28 May Holy Trinity Church, Folkestone
Pay up in the West End! Casts and stage management on West End shows are demanding better pay & work-life balance If you work in the West End, or have in the past 3 years, check your inbox for an email from Equity and VOTE YES to back our position. Images: Hamilton, High Society & Avenue Q
The arts are demonstrably, measurably, biologically good for us. A necessity, not a luxury.
Arts and cultural engagement ‘linked to slower pace of biological ageing’
Research from UCL suggests visiting art galleries or museums, singing and painting can help improve health outcomes
theguardian.com
Equity president Lynda Rooke has taken aim at boards and bodies primarily comprised of chief executives and producers, suggesting they are not active enough and do not truly represent the workforce. Read more 👇
Equity president: Culture boards are just talking shops
thestage.co.uk
The use of actors’ voices and faces by AI will be controlled by new contracts set to be developed by Equity after a motion calling for an end to “back-door” deals was passed at its conference. Read more 👇
Actors to be shielded from ‘back-door’ AI deals with Equity contracts
thestage.co.uk
Theatres should implement front-of-house protocols to deal with racist behaviour from audience members, performers at the Equity conference agreed. Read more 👇
Front-of-house protocols for racist behaviour needed in theatres – performers
thestage.co.uk
On International Workers Memorial Day, we are remembering everyone who has died or has been injured at work. Unions are here to defend every worker and ensure that safety standards are met. #IWMD www.equity.org.uk/news/2026/international-workers-memorial-day
Equity marks International Workers’ Memorial Day with call for the industry to step up on night time safety | Equity
International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD) on 28 April brings together trade unionists to remember those who have lost their lives to work.
equity.org.uk
Want to know more? Read more on our website: tinyurl.com/bdehtush Eligible members check your inbox for information and voting links.
