It’s time for Dignity In Digs
Your union believes that, as professionals, the accommodation you stay in when working away from home should meet a professional standard. Properties advertised through theatre digs lists should be well-maintained, reasonably priced, safe, and welcoming for all theatre workers.
But we know this is often not the reality.
We also know that poor experiences of digs are not felt evenly. Disabled workers, global majority workers, and workers who are – or who are perceived to be – part of the LGBT+ community can face additional barriers and discriminatory or oppressive practices when it comes to finding suitable accommodation.
Our theatre negotiations in 2023 saw increases to subsistence and touring allowances, and improvements to the digs lists held by many subsidised theatre venues - but this needs to go much further.
It’s time for all producers to recognise that where you stay while you are working on their contract is not simply your problem to solve, it’s their responsibility too. It’s time for Dignity In Digs.
What have we achieved so far?
Thanks to the input of our members, the negotiations in 2023 delivered the following improvements:
- Producers across the commercial and subsidised sectors are now responsible for sourcing and providing accommodation for tours travelling to Dublin.
- Allowances under the Subsidised Theatre Agreement are now paid four weeks in advance.
- Allowances under the Commercial Theatre Agreement are paid between two and four weeks in advance.
- Since June 2022, touring allowance on the Commercial Theatre Agreement has risen by 32%.
But there is still work to do – which is why we are continuing to campaign for Dignity In Digs in our upcoming theatre negotiations.
What happens now?
In November 2025, Equity submitted our claims to UK Theatre – the management association for commercial and subsidised producers – outlining the changes we want to see on the Commercial and Subsidised Theatre Agreements for Performers and Stage Management.
We have claimed for:
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Producers on the largest commercial touring productions to source and provide accommodation for the workers, with a separate per diem paid to you for your day to day expenses.
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Subsistence and touring allowances to be replaced with a single Living Away Allowance, payable in both rehearsal and performance weeks. We have claimed for a Living Away Allowance of £450 per week, with a separate per diem.
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The Living Away Allowance should be the same across both the Commercial and Subsidised Agreement.
How can I get involved?
Report your dodgy digs
Share your examples of the problems with accommodation you’ve experienced as a theatre worker when you are away from home – whether on a tour or a run in one venue.
Join Equity now
If you’re not already an Equity member, join now. Only Equity members get a vote on the outcome of these negotiations. Speak to your Equity deputy about how to sign up join Equity online.
Elect your Deps
If your production does not have an Equity dep among the performers and stage management team, elect people. Deps are centrally involved in the negotiations, and making sure the opinions and ideas of the people on your show are included in this process is vital. Once you’ve elected your dep, or to talk through how to do that, email Charlotte – cbence@equity.org.uk
Watch this page
We will be updating this page as negotiations continue so check back regularly for updates.
Accommodation for Theatre Workers: Dignity in Digs Briefing
We prepared this briefing in 2022, in advance of negotiations with UK Theatre to share an overview with producers in advance of negotiations, to help them better understand the need for improvements. It provides an overview of Equity’s findings at the time into our members’ experiences with accommodation when they are working away from home in the UK. It includes reference to the experiences of members who have been working on touring productions, and members who have worked away from home on a production taking place in one venue, across both the commercial and subsidised sectors.
Dignity in Digs Briefing
Demand better in theatre
We’re demanding better pay, decent digs and a healthy work-life balance for theatre workers. Find out more about our major theatre agreement negotiations here.
Find out more
