Hello and welcome back to our roundup of news from across the industry. From stage to screens big and small, we’ve got you covered. It’s everything you need to know and all you can’t afford to miss.
24-hour theatre helpline pilots.
A new round-the-clock helpline is being piloted for a year. Set up to support the health and well-being of theatre workers, it is free of charge for anyone working in the theatre industry. The Theatre Helpline was created by the Society of London Theatre and industry organisation UK Theatre to offer confidential support and advice for those suffering from stress, bullying, harassment, or financial difficulties. It also provides informal career advice, and is described as a safe place for anyone to share worries and concerns.
The helpline is being piloted after a tumultuous year in theatre, with the Kevin Spacey scandal being just one of a series of allegations towards figures in the industry. SOLT and UK Theatre stated they set up the service in response to the Theatre Workforce Review in 2017, a report which warned of a “lack of professional attitude and practices” and identified major challenges for workers, including harassment. Cassie Chadderton, head of UK Theatre, said, “We are committed to bringing the theatre industry together to provide a supportive working environment for everyone.” She added that inappropriate behavior can be found “in the rehearsal room, boardroom, front of house or backstage” and that the Theatre Helpline “provides a place for theatre professionals to talk through any concerns they have, at any time.”
You can reach Theatre Helpline on 0800 915 4617 or advice@theatrehelpline.org.
Ramin Gray investigation concludes with “written warning”.
Actors Touring Company last week issued a formal written warning to their Artistic Director Ramin Gray. It follows an investigation into claims of inappropriate behaviour by the director, launched in November last year in the midst of the Harvey Weinstein and Spacey scandals. The investigation found that there were four complaints of “inappropriate conduct of a verbal nature”, relating to two people. ATC did not provide further details about the complaints because of its “duty to ensure confidentiality for all those involved in all stages of the investigation”.
After an interview in November 2017 in which Gray said that “the search for who is the Weinstein of British theatre is an honourable search,” the journalist who wrote the piece said he was contacted by at least eight women “who described historic cases of harassment”. According to the Guardian, at least five women had made formal complaints to Equity. ATC’s production of The Suppliant Women had just transferred from Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum Theatre to the Young Vic in London. There were no reported claims of harassment from any of the cast.
According to ATC’s statement, an investigation has been carried out by a solicitor which covered the period since Gray joined the company in 2010 to the present day. It involved interviews with complainants, witnesses, and Gray himself, who “fully engaged with the process throughout”. Back in April, ATC came under fire for reportedly letting the investigation “fizzle out”, with a claimant saying she had received four months of “radio silence” after submitting a complaint. As yet, the theatre company has yet to comment on the future of their artistic director. Gray remains on a leave of absence from his role.
Bafta hopes to “provoke change” with new criteria.
Last week Bafta laid out the diversity criteria films must meet for the two British film categories at the 2019 awards. The British Academy came in for a barrage of criticism after this year’s nominations included just two non-white actors out of 20 nominations as well as an all-male best director category. In response, the industry body announced that films must match at least two of the BFI’s diversity standards to be eligible for the categories of outstanding British film and outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer next year. The BFI standards cover on-screen representation, project leadership, work experience, and audience access.
Chair of Bafta Film Committee, Marc Samuelson, said that feature films receiving BBC Films or Film4 funding were already required to fulfill diversity criteria and told Variety that the new roles show Bafta “putting its shoulder to the wheel when it comes to diversity”. However, he admitted it would be challenging to make the standards apply to all categories as many nominated films are produced outside the U.K. He also confirmed that eligibility would not work on a computerised basis and that the team would look to see if “every effort been made”. “There’s a will to help films qualify. Bafta can also look at films and take a view, it’s not a tick box thing.” Samuelson added that “the whole point is to provoke real change in the industry”. “There have been diversity initiatives going for at least 20 years to my certain knowledge. Everybody believes the volume needs to be turned up because not enough has happened. This is an attempt to do that in a sensible and meaningful way.”
The British Academy Film Awards will take place in London on Sunday 10 February 2019.
Stage production news
Pinter at the Pinter lined more up more acting heavyweights last week. Paapa Essiedu, Rupert Graves, Maggie Steed, and Keith Allen were among the actors joining the season of one-act plays marking the 10th anniversary of the playwright’s death. Essiedu (RSC Hamlet) and Steed will star in Ashes to Ashes, directed by Lia Williams. Allen will perform alongside previously announced Tamsin Greig in Landscape and A Kind of Alaska. Graves is to join Jane Horrocks and Emma Naomi in The Room, Family Voices, and Victoria Station, all directed by Patrick Marber. Other announcements include Phil Davis, Gary Kemp, and John Simm. Further casting is being announced soon.
Read more here.
After lying empty for more than 20 years, the historic Hornsey Town Hall is to reopen as a “future-proofed, modern arts centre”. The £30 million development includes a redesigned assembly hall that will hold 1,500 standing and become a 400-seat theatre. The former council chamber will also become a flexible studio space. Although plans for Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts to move to the town hall were scrapped, the building will include rehearsal space, recording studios and collaborative working areas. Work is set to get underway later this year, with completion in mid-2020.
Read more here.
Screen production news
Alfie Allen last week joined the cast of How to Build A Girl. The big screen adaptation of Caitlin Moran’s bestselling 2014 book stars Beanie Feldstein (Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird) as Johanna, a young woman pursuing her dream of becoming a music journalist. Allen, best known as Theon Greyjoy on Game of Thrones, will play John Kite, a musician and drinking buddy of Johanna. Directed by Coky Giedroyc, the production begins shooting in London next month with casting by Shaheen Baig.
Read more here.
Check out Backstage’s London audition listings!