Theatres’ pay success

Equity, the performers’ union, has signed two new pay deals giving a minimum of £400 a week to theatre actors by 2011. The deals are with the Independent Theatre Council and the Theatrical Management Association, covering independent and commercial theatres. Pay will rise to £385 per week in independent theatres and to £380 per week in commercial theatres from April of this year, then to £400 next year. The union is still pushing for wage rises in subsidised repertory theatres, as part of its Manifesto for Theatre campaign.