Equity (British trade union)

History

Equity was created in 1930 by a group of West End performers, including Godfrey Tearle, May Whitty and Ben Webster. They were advised by Robert Young, the "Actors' MP". Like many other British trade unions, Equity operated a closed shop policy, so it was not possible for someone to join unless they had a record of sufficient paid work and most jobs were reserved for Equity card holders. To allow new members to join, there were a limited number of non-card-holding jobs on regional productions. While working on these productions, actors held a provisional membership card, and could apply for full membership upon completing the requisite number of weeks, subsequently allowing them to work in the West End or on film and television.

As a result of reforms of trade unions by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government and the introduction of European legislation, closed-shop unions became illegal in the UK and Equity discontinued their closed-shop policy in the 1980s. However, to join Equity in the present day, evidence of sufficient paid professional work must still be provided. In 1976, Equity introduced a policy of refusing to sell programmes to the SABC, an action that led to a virtual ban of British television in apartheid-era South Africa, which was not lifted until 1993.

The Clarence Derwent Awards are theatre awards given annually by Equity on Broadway in the US and Equity UK in London's West End.

In regard to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, Equity released a statement: 'Equity stands full square behind our sister union.'

Presidents

• 1932: Godfrey Seymour Tearle
• 1940: Lewis Thomas Casson
• 1946: Beatrix Lehmann
• 1948: Leslie Banks
• 1949: Felix Aylmer
• 1969: Ernest Clark
• 1973: André Morell
• 1975: Hugh Manning
• 1978: John Barron
• 1982: Hugh Manning
• 1984: Derek Bond
• 1986: Nigel Davenport
• 1992: Jeffry Wickham
• 1994: Frederick Pyne
• 2002: Harry Landis
• 2008: Graham Hamilton
• 2010: Malcolm Sinclair
• 2018: Maureen Beattie
• 2022: Lynda Rooke

General Secretaries

• 1930: Alfred M. Wall
• 1939: C. B. Purdom
• 1940: Llewellyn Rees
• 1946: Gordon Sandison
• 1958: Gerald Croasdell
• 1973: Peter Plouviez
• 1991: Ian McGarry
• 2005: Christine Payne
• 2020: Paul W. Fleming

References

References

1. "Equity AR21 Form for the year ending 31 December 2024".
2. [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equity-incorporating-the-variety-artistes-federation-annual-returns Equity (Incorporating the Variety Artistes' Federation): annual returns.] UK Certification Officer.
3. "Equity – Equity Name".
4. (2011). "Twentieth-Century British Theatre : Industry, Art and Empire.". Cambridge University Press.
5. (2003). "What's My Motivation?". Ebury Press.
6. "Who can join Equity?". Equity.
7. [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/ban-on-sale-of-tv-shows-to-south-africa-lifted-anti-apartheid-blockade-by-actors-union-dropped-1503272.html Ban on sale of TV shows to South Africa lifted: Anti-apartheid blockade by actors' union dropped following reform of broadcasting, but opposition to touring remains], ''[[The Independent]]'', 10 November 1993
8. "Solidarity Statement & Advice - SAG-AFTRA Strikes 2023".
9. Smith, Alistair. (22 July 2008). "Hamilton elected Equity president". [[The Stage]].
10. Hemley, Matthew. (15 July 2010). "Malcolm Sinclair becomes Equity president". [[The Stage]].
11. (11 July 2012). "Malcolm Sinclair re-elected President". Equity.
12. "Council: Equity Council 2012 – 2014". Equity.
13. Hemley, Matthew. (2018-05-01). "Actor Maureen Beattie becomes second female president in Equity's history {{!}} News". The Stage.
14. (1 May 2018). "Equity – Equity announces first female President since 1946".
15. (8 July 2022). "Equity - Election Results: President, Council, Appeals Committee and Standing Orders Committee for 2022-24".
16. (12 May 1938). "Alfred M. Wall". [[The Stage]].
17. (30 March 2011). "Equity history". Equity.
18. (9 July 2020). "Equity - Equity elects new General Secretary".