I’ve lost count of the times I’ve had that quoted to me during a production period when I’m tired, run down, physically ill, and mentally drained. In that one sentence you have managed to elevate the importance of the show above everything else. The show is more important than me, than my physical and mental health and the health and well-being of every human that works to bring that production to life.
The word that makes this sentence aggressive in its delivery is “must”, defined as “to be obliged to or should”. When you say this, you are telling me that I must get this show on, it’s my duty above all else. Somehow in our industry that word “must” carries a huge obligation to us personally, so much so that we ourselves have been indoctrinated to value the show over everything else including our own health and wellbeing. Perhaps this personal attachment to the fate of the show is linked in part to the statistics that 70% of our workforce in the theatre and live events sector identify as freelance? Operating as self-employed brings a host of personal responsibility and perhaps we have allowed that mantra to roll over to include larger obligations like the entire fate of a show. Perhaps we have allowed the love and passion that we carry for working backstage to be abused by the producers, as they lean on our enthusiasm and impose this personal obligation to get the show on? Perhaps it’s simply an old phrase that was coined that we carry and flippantly still use to this day? Either way we are still allowing this old mantra to continue, and our young backstage workers are having it indoctrinated to them. It’s time to change this toxic culture backstage. It’s important we remind ourselves and others that it’s just a show. Working backstage is just a job. Somehow that has been lost in all the passion and creativity. Yes, we love what we do, yes we are dedicated to creating that beautiful show, but we don’t have to break ourselves to see the curtains rise on the productions we work on.
The show of course “will” go on, it can continue and proceed to open its curtains without us being present if we need to stop to get well. We know it takes a team of people to bring a show to life not just the actions of one person. In other industry sectors a good business model will have the capacity and contingency to lose one or two members of staff without suffering a big operational issue. Why then in our industry is the same foresight not applied?
A show or theatre is a business model that needs to operate with the same contingency’s, planning and foresight that other business’s do across all sectors. The correct personnel staffing levels need to be considered to be productive. The correct amount of time needs to be given to perform tasks. A level of contingency needs to be allowed for if staff are sick, or extra staff need to be brought in. This needs to be finely balanced against the profit and loss accounts so we have money to achieve this. These are all business 101 objectives to be productive, efficient, and therefore profitable. Why then is the same logical business acumen not applied to producing shows? How many times have you been asked to work with one less member of crew to cut costs? And when was the last time a panto run had a tech swing in place to cover sickness? Why do we work 12 hour days for weeks in production periods? Why are designers and production LX’s not paid a fair rate for pre-show planning? I could go on with many other issues, and I’m sure we all have our own to add to the list. When did working backstage in showbusiness stop working to the same standards as other sectors? When did we start to value the product “the show” above the human beings that are integral to bringing these shows to life?
In many other sectors we are starting to see change. We are more aware of things like fast fashion and fair trade and most of us want ethically sourced clothes and food now. How might our audiences feel if they knew that the follow spot operators on the show they are watching earn less than someone working in McDonalds. Can we campaign for productions to work and operate to a fairtrade standard for the people that bring that show to life? Could we develop our own stamp of approval saying that the show and business operates to a certain level to consider the health and wellbeing of every worker. That being fair pay, fair hours and fair terms for sickness including support. We have made huge strides in how our sector operates to be more sustainable and we are all asked to work towards these goals. Why then can’t we ask for the employer to give the same focus to social sustainability. After all a happy and healthy work force will be more productive, profitable and innovative.
It’s all very well to muse on my dreams of an industry united goal to change the culture of working backstage. I will do all I can to continue to campaign for this change in my future work, but what can we do personally to preserve our own wellbeing in the workplace?
We need to bring humanity back to our working world. That’s something we can all begin to do. We need to challenge this “show must go on” mantra and tell the employer that we value ourselves more than we value the show. We can all politely and respectfully challenge the rhetoric and remind employers that we are human, and its humans that make a show. We need to look after our humans if we want a good product and profitable production. The show will go on, it should go on and it can with a happy and healthy cast and crew. If you need to stop because your physically or mentally unwell that’s ok. It’s just a show, it’s just a job. Nothing is more important than your health and wellbeing.
Starting our own cultural revolution is tricky for some. I have already mentioned that 70% of our workforce are freelance and many work on casual zero-hour contracts. I appreciate it’s not that easy to front a revolution if you’re worried about job security. All we can do is the best we can, and hope that if enough of us keep flying the flag for humanity in the workplace that someone higher up will start to listen. A cultural change can’t be achieved with just one or two people waving a flag, it requires the majority.
Let me share the story of the star fish thrower. Told to me by another dedicated well-being activist. There was a storm and thousands of star fish were washed up on shore. A man was on the coastline picking up star fish and throwing them back into the sea. A lady came along an watched the man, she said “why are you bothering? There are so many, you can’t possibly save them all”. The man simply bent down picked up a star fish threw it into the sea and said, “but I made a difference to that one”. The lady was touched by the man’s words, she bent down picked up a star fish and joined him in throwing them back into the sea. I am a proud star fish thrower, let’s start a cultural revolution down on the beach. Maybe I will see you on the shore? (Details of how you can join the AAPTLE well-being working group can be found at the end of this article)
I wanted to end with this statement; if its the workplace causing your illness, injury or mental wellbeing to suffer that ISNT OK. Please reach out to someone as there is support available (see signposting options at the end of this article).
I wish you all well, keep making fabulously beautiful events and shows. Just remember to not value your production above yourself or anyone one else working to make your show happen. You too are fabulous and beautiful, and we need you happy and healthy to work on the next gig. Look after yourself and watch out for those around you.
Mig
SIGN POSTING
Industry charities
The Theatrical Guild – UK charity supporting backstage staff. Talk to them about practical help at any stage of your career, including financial support, welfare advice, retraining and counselling.
Backup Tech (The Technical Entertainment Charity) is the UK’s registered charity that provides financial support to industry technical professionals, crew/production personnel and people working in the technical supply chain across the UK entertainment industry including those from live events, theatre, TV and film. Support includes, medical grants, hardship grants, well being support.
Backup also have a 24 hr helpline: 0800 4647068
Home
Music Support: Their mission is to provide help and support to peers who work in music and live events affected by mental ill-health and/or addiction and to promote early intervention through support services, education and workshops. You are not alone.
Union support
Equity –
You should be treated with dignity at work, both in the hiring process and in your place of work. If at any stage of getting work or being in work, your employer (or prospective employer) is failing to provide a workspace that is safe, Equity can help. Call Equity on 020 7379 6000 to speak to someone confidentially. If your health issue arises from a non-workplace related matter, contact BAPAM ( British Association of Performing arts medicine)
Bectu –
Bectu have pages on wellbeing on their website, covering menopause, working environment, bullying harassment and stress and mental health to name a few. If the workplace is contributing to your ill health physically or mentally you can contact them. 020 7346 0900.
They also have a theatre freelancers branch.
Other supports
BAPAM – British association for performing arts medicine
Clinical experts delivering health and wellbeing services for the performing arts.
They offer lots of free clinics, resources, and online sessions. You can search and find practioners that understand our industry more, and there is industry specific guidance to browse through on physical and mental health.
Becoming a star fish thrower
You can read more about all the work I have done to date around mental health and wellbeing here:
If you would like to join the AAPTLE well-being working group email: mig@abtt.org.uk
Mig Burgess Walsh 