MPs want higher wages for theatre professionals

A committee of MPs today described the wages earned by theatre professionals as a “scandal”, and called upon theatres to increase them for actors and backstage staff alike.

It also backed OFT recommendations on clearer advertising and ticket prices at West End theatres, describing them as a “blatant rip-off”.

The calls came in a report by the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport committee on Theatres, which also states that the case for substantial investment in theatre in Britain was “overwhelming”.

The committee is urging the Government to take a long-term view of funding for the arts to avoid real-term cuts; and therefore wants it to find the £34 million needed to keep the Arts Council’s funding in line with inflation.