Inquiry Launched Into Entertainment Industry 'Class Ceiling' More UK Business News - Backstage

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Developments in the business of acting are not always front-of-mind for time-pressed creatives, yet can have a major impact on how their careers develop. That’s why we’ve created The Business, a series to help UK actors and performers stay updated on the key stories that will affect the nuts and bolts of their professional lives. This week, MPs launch a new investigation into the ‘class ceiling’; BECTU’s plan to increase diversity offstage gets the support of Adrian Lester; Ofsted’s chief inspector is under attack after comments about arts training; and how new artists can get involved in opera – online.

MPs and unions launch inquiry into entertainment industry ‘class ceiling’
Described as a “leaky pipe that needs fixing,” a new parliamentary inquiry has been launched to examine issues around the so-called ‘class ceiling’ in the entertainment industry. Access to training, the cost of drama school, low wages and caring responsibilities are all pressures already identified as restricting access to the industry for working-class performers in a report published by Labour last year. But new and urgent warnings from figures across the industry have prompted a fresh cross-party investigation into the financial and cultural barriers to the arts.

Equity’s Jackie Clune described the class ceiling as a “leaky pipe that needs fixing” and said the aim of the inquiry will be to ensure the arts does not become the “sole preserve of the privileged few.” She added that restricted access to the arts “impoverishes us – not only as individuals but also as a nation.” Covering topics such as access to arts in state education as well as training and recruitment, the “wide-ranging” review has been launched in response to the idea that debates around diversity often forgot class and social inequalities. MPs and peers from across political parties are to be involved, led by the Performers’ Alliance All-Party Parliamentary Group working with Equity and other unions.

Adrian Lester warns industry will become ‘obsolete’ without better diversity
Actor Adrian Lester used the launch of a ground-breaking new plan from BECTU to warn that theatre risked becoming “obsolete” to younger generations if the industry did not address a lack of diversity. Lester was announcing a “giant leap forward for theatres,” with more than 90 venues joining a scheme to better represent minority ethnicities in offstage roles.

BECTU’s new Theatre Diversity Action Plan scheme has also been backed by the Young Vic artistic director Kwame Kwei-Armah and mayor of London Sadiq Khan. The 10-step action plan was created in response to data published by Arts Council England revealing workers from BAME backgrounds are significantly underrepresented in venues. In London, where 41% of the population is minority ethnic, some theatre workforces are made up of as little as 5% BAME staff.

Subsidised and commercial theatres have vocally supported the initiative, with Ambassador Theatre Group, Delfont and Nimax joining the National Theatre, Young Vic, Nottingham Playhouse, Birmingham Rep and Sheffield’s Crucible in supporting the union. Highlighting discrimination in hiring practices, BECTU are offering consultation for venues with a lack of BAME applicants alongside a practical guide on increasing diversity. BECTU’s Janice Turner said the union would continue to advise theatres as they put the plan into action, using what has been learnt from union members. “We decided to assist them by using the best knowledge we had available – our members’ experiences.”

Ofsted chief sparks row over ‘career prospects’ comments
Ofsted’s chief inspector Amanda Spielman has been criticised by actors and authors for her comments about arts training and job prospects last week. Mark Gatiss labelled Spielman’s comments “chilling and ghastly” after she claimed that many arts courses were offering unrealistic career prospects for young people. Author Joanne Harris called the comments as “incredibly narrow-minded,” urging followers to tweet their stories of arts training that was valuable, no matter the career prospects.

In a letter to The Stage, Spielman clarified her argument, agreeing that arts subjects have value in their own right and criticising the fact they are “too often being squeezed out of school curriculums.” The Ofsted chief said her aim was “to make sure that we are fair to these young people, and do not use the glamour of jobs that they are very unlikely ever to attain to encourage them down a path that could turn out to be a dead end.”

She added: “With a family member who spent more than a decade as a frequently under-employed actor, I have seen at close quarters quite what a demoralising experience that can be.”

In brief

Female leaders ask Arts Council boss ‘for a more equal future’
Some of the industry’s leading women have attended a meeting with Arts Council England boss Nicholas Serota, calling for a plan to better represent women across roles in stage and screen. After theatre director and playwright Julia Pascal published an open letter earlier this year, Serota invited a delegation that included the Elizabeth Newman, artistic director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Polly Kemp, founder of the campaign group ERA 50:50, and Equity president Maureen Beattie. Also in attendance was theatre director Sue Parrish who described the “landmark meeting” as successful. She said the delegates were “delighted that the Arts Council has listened and has assured us that it will continue to work with us for a more equal future.”

Pioneering venue boosts artist support
Edinburgh venue Summerhall has boosted their artist development programme with support from Creative Scotland and the BBC. The pioneering Fringe and year-round venue said new funding will double the number development labs offered to performers and artists, following a pilot of the scheme. Four artist labs offering time, space and money to support the development of new work are now open for applicants.