After multi-year negotiations failed to deliver the necessary structural improvements to our collective agreements for designers, Equity served notice to SOLT (Society of London Theatre) and UK Theatre that the union would issue its own guidance on fees for designers working under the SOLT/Equity and UK Theatre/Equity Designers Agreements.
After the union wrote to SOLT and UK Theatre, Equity Officials including the General Secretary met with representatives from both organisations in September. As a result of this meeting, Equity and SOLT have agreed a timeline of negotiation with the shared goal of reaching a new agreement for designers working in the West End (under the SOLT/Equity Designers Agreement) by April 2027. After these negotiations have concluded, we will begin the re-negotiation of the UK Theatre agreement.
Whilst we welcome the agreement of a pathway towards new collective agreements for designers, the fact remains that the current SOLT and UK Theatre minima bear no meaningful relationship to the time, expertise, responsibilities or value involved in the work undertaken by designers and must not be used as a benchmark for negotiating fees.
The union’s position is that the current minimum fees in the SOLT and UK Theatre collective agreements are no longer applicable to the engagement of designers.
Our interim guidance for designers is laid out below. Where this guidance contradicts the existing collective agreements, our advice is that this guidance should take precedence.
The issuing of this guidance is a pragmatic and temporary measure to allow designers to negotiate improved terms and conditions in the absence of an agreed settlement.
FAQs
SOLT Agreement
Set Designers and Costume Designers shall be covered by the last published minimum fee for ‘Set Design of a Major Musical’, and Lighting Designers shall be covered by the last published minimum fee for ‘Costume Design of a Major Musical’ for the Category of theatre the production is mounted in.
Our position is that there is a new ‘Designers’ Initial Fee’ of no less than £8,200, £7,844 or £7,131 for a Set or Costume Designer in Categories A, B and C respectively, and £5,472, £5,234 or £4,758 for a Lighting Designer – irrespective of whether the designer is engaged on a Major Musical, a Musical, or a Straight Play.
From the date rehearsals commence, a designer shall also be paid a negotiable day rate for each day of additional work required in the rehearsal and technical periods, and in previews. This day rate is in addition to the Initial Fee.
Your Initial Fee should reflect and encompass the pre-rehearsal design work required, the scale of the production requirements and your skills and experience, as well as in-person attendance requirements in advance of the rehearsal period’s commencement.
The initial fee shall be payable for each design discipline a designer is engaged for.
A designers’ initial fee should be paid in thirds: one third on commencement of work, one third at the point of contract, and one third on the first day of rehearsals.
The minimum payment with respect to Copyright, detailed at clause 7.3 of the SOLT Agreement (February 2020 edition), shall be no less than double the Designers’ Initial Fee, plus any further negotiable payments for work required in order to facilitate the transfer into the West End.
The minimum weekly royalty payable to a designer on the West End shall increase to a negotiable sum of not less than £300 per week, per discipline.
APPENDIX Clause 17.1 of the SOLT Agreement (February 2020 edition) shall no longer apply. This clause currently allows a designers’ minimum fee to be reduced if a show runs for 8 weeks or less. The length of a run has no impact on the amount of work required by the designer to bring their work to the stage.
UK Theatre Agreement
Set and Costume Designers across Commercial and Subsidised Theatre shall be covered by the last published minimum fee for a ‘Freelance Designer in an MRSL 1 House, and Lighting Designers shall be covered by the last published minimum fee for a ‘Freelance Designer’ in an MRSL 2/3 House: £4,289 and £3,142 respectively.
From the date rehearsals commence, a designer shall also be paid a negotiable day rate for each day of additional work required in the rehearsal and technical periods, and in previews, or to facilitate alteration of the design required by a move from venue to venue on a touring production, or a co-production. This day rate is in addition to the Initial Fee.
Your Initial Fee should reflect and encompass the actual hours of work required, the scale of the production requirements and your skills and experience, as well as in-person attendance requirements in advance of the rehearsal period’s commencement.
The initial fee shall be payable for each design discipline a designer is engaged for.
A designers’ initial fee should be paid in thirds: one third on commencement of work, one third at the point of contract, and one third on the first day of rehearsals.
Negotiable royalty payments shall be payable by the Manager for each performance week of any production mounted under the UK Theatre Agreement.
Clause 3.6.1 of the UK Theatre Agreement (February 2020 edition) shall no longer apply. The Manager shall instead reimburse the designer or Assistant designers’ expenses on the presentation of a receipt.
If an engager references the existing minima under the SOLT and UKT Designer agreements, let them know that Equity no longer recognises the existing rate structure under either agreement.
Use the minimum rates and fee structure outlined above as the ‘floor’ of your contract negotiation process. Make sure you share this information with your agent, if you have one.
Equity will also be contacting relevant professional organisations and agents directly to update them on Equity’s new position.
It is important to note that SOLT/UKT have not agreed to the union’s current position.
Equity staff and members will meet with representatives of SOLT between now and April 2027 to negotiate a brand-new agreement for designers working in the West End. After these negotiations have concluded, we will begin the re-negotiation of the UK Theatre agreement for designers.
The above is only interim guidance for designers whilst negotiations with UK Theatre and SOLT are ongoing. It is not reflective of our full demands in the upcoming negotiations, nor does it diminish our position that an entirely new fee structure, reflecting the actual time, professional expertise, responsibilities and value of the work undertaken, remains essential.
We will be engaging our designer members in these negotiations to ensure that your views are represented at the negotiation table. If you are a member of Equity, please keep an eye on your inbox in the coming months.
We know that issues related to crediting, copyright/ licensing arrangements, the quantifying of working hours and royalties are of great importance to our designer members, and these issues will be on the table during the upcoming negotiations.
We are running a session on Building Power for Directors and Designers on Friday 27th November 11am-12:30pm on Zoom.
This is an opportunity to hear more about the ongoing negotiations and how you can get more involved in your union. The meeting is open to members and non-members. Register here.
Please email Holly on hfirmin@equity.org.uk
