Britain clamps down on fringe and profit share theatre.

My wife did 3 Shakespeares at once for Two Way Mirror in Camden who I believe no longer exist. It was winter and snowing and the dressing room was a tent in the back yard. It was frighteningly like the old Rep program, she rehearsed one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and performed the third at night. At the end of a couple of months she received about 15 pounds. Rebecca, I agree with what you say about getting paid but the situation is that it is close to impossible to make money without subsidy particularly on new work. I am (I hope) an honest co op producer who lays everything out up front and opens my books to anyone who wants to see them. Also I ask for no financial investment from my actors or crew. The risk is all mine. It is great experience particularly for recent graduates or otherwise emerging actors. The same for techies. Certainly there comes a time when you must however say "I will no longer work for free." This is your own choice. It's not so much that it is unfair for actors except in so far as the entire industry is a little unfair particularly at the begining of careers. Who ever we are (actors techies directors etc) we are asked to work unbelievable hours for wages that sound like the payments to sweat shop employees. But we still do it. At my age with my experience I still occasionally work for $18.00 an hour because I still can't afford to turn down paid work. I seem to have run out of things to say and am only getting angry. I shall leave. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au