Equity's Women's Committee research into casting
20 June 2012
Last year members of Equity’s Women’s Committee undertook research on published cast lists for a selection of subsidised theatres in England. Their findings are set out below.
The research suggests a casting picture which is shocking but not unexpected. Of the 36 theatres surveyed only one, the Manchester Royal Exchange, appeared to have employed more actresses than actors. A further five, the Royal Court, Soho, Bristol Old Vic, Keswick Theatre by the Lake and Northampton Theatre Royal, had cast slightly more men than women. In the remaining 30 theatres the roles for men significantly outweighed those for women.
Because the research has been compiled from published sources only Equity cannot be certain that it is 100 per cent accurate. Equity has written to all 36 theatres asking them to check the figures and to discuss with Equity the lack of roles for women. Unfortunately, only eight responded.
Casting in a selection of subsidised theatres: 2009/10 season. Figures compiled from published sources.
London theatres
Almeida 25 male, 13 female
Arcola 37 male, 17 female
Bush 23 male, 15 female
Donmar 59 male, 30 female
Gate 12 male, 11 female
Hampstead 32 male, 20 female
Lyric Hammersmith 51 male, 21 female
National Theatre 152 male, 76 female
Open Air Regent’s Park 39 male, 21 female
Orange Tree 46 male, 26 female
Royal Court 68 male, 63 female
Shakespeare’s Globe 57 male, 14 female
Soho 37 male, 31 female
Theatre Royal Stratford East 27 male, 15 female
Tricycle 25 male, 14 female
Young Vic 24 male, 19 female
Regional Theatres
Birmingham Rep 45 male, 37 female
Bolton Octagon 42 male, 33 female
Bristol Old Vic 19 male, 16 female
Bury St Edmunds 11 male, 8 female
Chichester 80 male, 48 female
Ipswich 43 male 25 female
Keswick Theatre By The Lake 21 male, 20 female
Lancaster Dukes 15 male 7 female
Liverpool Playhouse and Everyman 54 male 27 female
Manchester Library 32 male, 22 female
Manchester Royal Exchange 43 male, 46 female
Newbury Watermill 47 male, 34 female
Newcastle Under Lyme New Vic 41 male, 25 female
Newcastle, Northern Stage 11 male, 7 female
Northampton 21 male, 20 female
Nottingham 8 male, 7 female
Oldham Coliseum 17 male, 16 female
Oxford Playhouse 21 male, 12 female
Salisbury Playhouse 48 male, 30 female
Watford Palace 31 male, 19 female
