Equity members are being warned about accepting work with Anything Theatre Company Ltd and/or its directors: Si Wall, Kayleigh Louise Harper, John Elliott or Esler Burke. The warning follows non-payment of members after the collapse of a tour earlier this year and a new call for performers, creative team and others to get involved with a Si Wall production called Crimson Stage.
In early 2025 the Manchester-based Anything Theatre Company Ltd (registered company number 15998227) engaged a number of Equity members to work on Twisted! The Musical tour. Rehearsals were held in spring 2025 and the tour was set to include venues in Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Glasgow, and Halifax amongst others.
However, after opening in Bolton, the company members were told via email that the company did not have enough money to cover forecasted costs of the tour.
Anything Theatre Company and its directors need to make good on their contractual promises to the actors, crew and creative team members... they have a responsibility to pay everyone the money that they are owed.
Dominic Bascombe, Equity Northeast Official
The email from Kayleigh Louise Harper on 24 June said: “After careful consideration, and with a poor ticket sales forecast it is clear that the company is now trading insolvently, and we do not have the funds or resources to continue the tour. Regretfully we will need to cease our operations with immediate effect and we are unable to make any further payments for goods and services at this time.”
Equity Northeast Official, Dominic Bascombe, said: “Anything Theatre Company and its directors need to make good on their contractual promises to the actors, crew and creative team members who put their all into rehearsing and starting work on the failed Twisted! Tour. It is not right that they remain out of pocket months on from the sudden termination of the tour and the directors walk away. The directors have a responsibility to pay everyone the money that they are owed.”
Communications between the company and Equity were unsuccessful with the company claiming that they could not pay anyone. However, the company remains active on Companies House and no liquidators have yet been appointed. Equity has supported members bringing claims in the County Court for breach of contract and unpaid wages.
It emerged earlier this month that company director, Si Wall, has begun a call out for performers and creative team in a new production called Crimson Stage.
Equity is concerned that a new venture is being launched by the same company directors that left many others out of pocket less than six months ago.
If you are a member and have questions about Anything Theatre Company Ltd, Si Wall or any of the other directors, please contact us at northeastengland@equity.org.uk
