Equity

Magazine

Summer 2006

Maria show “disappointing”

programme should not be made, Equity says

Equity has expressed extreme disappointment that the BBC and the Really Useful Group has decided to go ahead with a television programme that will allow the viewing public to vote on which contestant in How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria will get the lead role in a new West End production of The Sound Of Music.

Equity has told both parties that the only proper way to chose a performer for stage production is through an audition process in front of professionals. Equity believes that many of its members will find How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria demeaning to their profession. The union has also raised its concerns with the Society of London Theatre.

In the face of the BBC and the Really Useful Group’s determination to go ahead with the show, Equity called on the BBC to enter talks with the union to ensure that the young performers in the television show are not exploited. The BBC has agreed to such talks and Equity is now negotiating proper levels of pay, hours of work and rights over their televised work.

Equity has asked the BBC for assurances, and has received them, that the young performers will not be publicly denigrated during the process of the show, as contestants have been in other reality television shows, such as The X Factor and Pop Idol. If Equity is successful in getting proper pay and working conditions for contestants in How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria this will be a first for reality television.

Equity will also ensure that the contestants are not forced into restrictive contracts which tie them to a particular management for years to come, as has happened on other reality shows.

“I would much rather that this programme was never made, and I am certain that the majority of my members would agree with me,” commented Equity General Secretary Christine Payne. “In the face of determination by the BBC and the Really Useful Group to make the show, our priority as a trade union is clear – to protect those young performers from exploitation.

“Some may call this reality television, but this is as far from the reality of being cast for a West End show as it is possible to get.”

Equity organisers have been at every open audition to advise participants and to recruit potential members.

• The General Secretary Writes
• Maria show “disappointing”
• Choristers to sue Scottish Opera
• Northern Ireland cultural initiative
• National Theatre of Variety
• Theatre Museum under threat
• Ian McGarry retires
• Circuses to face wild animal ban
• Low pay and no pay in films
• Change to capital limits increases access to benefits
• Equity welcomes smoking exemption
• OFT gives green light for performer merger
• Success in Emmerdale credits dispute
• BBC “poor value for gays”
• Leicester Comedy Festival
• Work permit review causes concern
• Government money helps update Scotland directories
• Gate Theatre minimum rates continue to rise
• News In Brief
• Equity Annual Conference: introduction
• Equity Annual Conference: The President's address
• Equity Annual Conference: The General Secretary's address
• Equity Annual Conference: The Honorary Treasurer's address
• Equity Annual Conference: policy debate
• Equity Annual Conference: theatre debate
• Equity Annual Conference: film, TV and radio debate
• Equity Annual Conference: equal opportunities debate
• Equity Annual Conference: variety debate
• Equity Annual Conference: services debate
• Equity Annual Conference: structure debate
• Equity Annual Conference: honorary life membership awards
• Equity Annual Conference: International
• Obituary: Alice Lidderdale
• Sexism, plastic surgery and leaving La Plante
• Letters
• Hamlet
• Branch Notes
• Discounts for members
• Special attention