Britain clamps down on fringe and profit share theatre.

The push for theatres to adopt a NMW shows a bizarre and complete disregard for the concept and importance of a contract. Transactions between people (whether personal or business) involve contracts (which can be explicit, i.e. written contracts, or implicit, i.e. handshakes or engagement rings). A contract has a number of essential elements: 1 It is entered into by both parties voluntarily 2 It is of mutual benefit to the parties 3 Both parties are legally able to enter 4 The transaction does not involve a criminal act 5 The nature of the transaction is specific So long as these elements are met, there should be no obstacle to the transaction proceeding. This is the case when purchasing a house, a carton of milk, getting married or entering into a particular arrangement for the staging of a play (profit sharing or whatever). No-one is forced to do these things, and Equity has no business getting involved. In doing so, it is abrogating its function, which is to look after the interests of its members. Perhaps I'll rephrase: it is working in the interests of its existing members by placing obstacles in front of prospective members, either by closing down opportunities for exposure, or by pricing them out. It is self-serving, and in so doing, damaging theatre as a whole.