Britain clamps down on fringe and profit share theatre.

Well-pointed Logos. Very valid points. Some of my experience. Having worked on the fringe circuit for a number of years, especially when you just get out of Drama School, you do make very, very little and the pubs charge ridiculous amounts of money per week. The Kings Head in Islington charges up to £2500 per week and strangely enough only seats 80. This may of changed. The Hen and Chickens pub in Highbury charge a thousand per week and seats 60. Most actors that are cast in a fringe show don't make anything and it costs you a lot of money with travelling expenses and so on. If you’re lucky and a fringe company has a budget or sponsor you may get a little bit of a travel allowance. The most I made in fringe at the end of the four-week run at the bull theatre in High Barnet, North London was £37.00. A lot of fringe theatre companies realise that it isn't profitable and rehearse at night allowing actors and crew to have day jobs. Some don't, some fringe companies expect you to rehearse full time, which is an extremely stressful when it comes to income. A Brief example of London expense. Rent (House share - small room - crap shower) £120p/w Council tax - £20p/w Travel - Zones 1 (£18pw) Zones 1&2 (£23.40) Zones 1-4 (£38.00pw) if you have a day job you may live in Zone 4. If you are lucky and have a decent amount of money you may live in Zone 1. Food - The Bread Line (£30p/w) Electricity meter - (£20p/w) this may vary due to the weather. Drama Studio Fees - £40 Annual Equity Fees - £100 Annual (May increase) You have to have done at least a 4 week professionally paid job to receive this wonderful card. The stage - £1.10 p/w Casting Call Pro – Fees apply Photos – Starting at £250 a session (Annual) Repro of photos - £60 (30 – 10x8) Head shots Administration costs – Postage/letters to send to agents and casting directors to come and see you at the pub - £100+ per production On going Acting classes – Voice/movement etc - £50 dependant per class Misc - £50p/w Total – Average Monthly living expenses as an Actor living in London - £1454.40 You can take off the Annual expenses. But you are looking at roughly £1000 a month. Average wage £7.34p/h. So when I made my £37 for my run at The Bull in Barnet I was over the moon that it covered the cost of postage. I then wrote to all the agents and casting directors thanking them for NOT coming to see me in my current season. It isn’t all-bad; London is a vibrant, exciting and frightening city. ‘It’s a hard knock life for us’ – All you have to keep saying to yourself is ‘I’m living the dream’ The fringe is definitely something I strongly advise you do. That is why most of us do it, for the exposure, you never know who is luring in that darkened damp cellar of the wondrous Victorian public house. If there are any actors heading to the northern hemisphere to pursue their dreams and ambitions – look at getting into promotional work, its flexible, well paid and you have a great time. Fringe On (Isn’t that a great title for a play) Leon (Make your next step the right step)