Equity Letter 1947-1949

Equity Letter a bi-monthly report to members of the British Actor's Equity Association March 1947 – May 1949

President 1946 - records lost

March 1947

Beatrix Lehmann writes

“We are not unfamiliar with the phrase, "Actors are incapable of conducting their own business". Both people totally unconnected with the theatre, and such a beloved wit as Bernard Shaw, have been guilty of this gibe. (Actors themselves have been heard to repeat it; no doubt with the idea that it is a matter of pride for an artist to be removed from the realm of practical things). But are we incapable of conducting out own affairs? Are there not countless examples of the opposite?

During the war numbers of small companies doing special work were run, organised and maintained by actors on both the executive and artistic side. Nearly all successful large companies are run (if not by working actors) by men and women who have had wide stage experience. It is amongst the people who have not been actors that muddle and irresponsibility both to the audience and to the artist are found.

If it be said that administrative ability to individuals of our profession is rare (rare but by no means unknown) let it be remembered that Equity is administered through working artists on Council and Executive. We poor muddle-headed artists have built up a union that was the first in the land to have a Union Closed Shop.

At a time when there is so much talk of Nationalisation and of workers' control, it is as well to review our potential capabilities and see in them the positive factor.

With a healthy respect for our own capabilities in mind we should pay special attention to one particular branch of our organisation which is the ideal training ground for responsibility. The Equity Deputies must develop their knowledge and a stronger liaison be forged between them and the office of the Association. To be an Equity Deputy is not merely a dull business of collecting dues, it is a post of honour and responsibility which entails a little study, a little thought and a little confidence in yourself as an artist capable of running the affairs of the theatre."

(only letter which survives as her writing in the magazine at the BL)

Council held one ordinary and three special meetings during the two months, The special meeting was called to consider whether permission should be granted for the cast of Oklahoma to work in London

2 Long term policy in relation to the BBC

3 the effect of hte fuel crisis on theatre.

Decision was made on cuts to actors’ salaries, no salaries of ten pound a week or under were to be cut. Managers had to approach equity if they wished to make cuts, agreement for negotiations.

West End Theatre by Austin Trevor speaks of members being happy with the way equity has handled the fuel crisis, meeting of 500 members and managers wishes not given in to.

May 1947

Two council meetings

First dealt with problems of the fuel crisis and with the provincial contract.

2nd devoted to careful examination of the draft annual report

approved a decision to publish number of votes in elections (of if only I could see that!)

Conclusion of the new provisional theatre contract

July 1947

Annual elections were held prior to AGM on 9th May

At the first meeting of the new council on the 13th May a ballot was held and the following were elected officers of the association for the year 1947/48

President Beatrix Lehmann

Vice presidents Honor Blair, Lewis Casson.

The new council held two meetings during may and June

In connection with cuts in artists' salaries in theatres the council wishes to stress that all managers and artists proposals in respect of cuts in salaries must be referred immediately to the equity officer. In no circumstances can proposals to cut any salary below ten pounds be discussed.

September 1947

The council had two ordinary and three special meetings

One special meeting was devoted to considering and where necessary altering the proposed amendments to the standard chorus contract which were submitted by the subcommittee.

The other special meetings were devoted to serious situation which arose from the managers proposed insertion of an emergency clause in the standard contracts without the approval of the London Theatre council. Eventually a compromise was reached through the medium of the London theatre council by which an agreed emergency clause will be inserted in all contracts but only operate when, and for as long as, the Chairman of the LTC declares and emergency exists.

Nov 1947

The council met twice during September and October

a - discipline within Equity and suspension of a member

b - Publication of the names of individual managements in Equity Letter

c - approval of the Constitution and Standing Orders of Manchester District Committee

d - ratification of the Film contract

e - the winding-up of the Equity Demobilisation Service Bureau

f- the Carl Rosa Opera Company dispute.

General secretary notes the following things of importance

Film contract

BBC development  - minimum fees, rehearsal

Health and comfort in theatres -evidence given at home office committee of inquiry

British theatre conference

Article on cuts, members who accept cuts that weren't negotiated face disciplinary action

Jan 1948

Council held two ordinary meetings and one special meeting are only supposed to meet once a quarter. "Councillors are apparently not dismayed by the extra work".

The special meeting on the 26th of November was devoted to resolution of the British Theatre conference, which are given in full

Ordinary meetings discussed: BBC negotiations, negations on repertory contract, publication  names in equity letter, artists certificates of registration, negotiations of London contracts.

Set up two committees one to examine the position of agents, and the other to revise the rules with special reference for he AGM.

Resolutions from equity to the British Theatre Conference

The Arts Council

warmly commending the work of the arts council

That censorship be abolished

Civic theatres - that a bill to enable local authority to sponsor and finance its own civic theatre

Entertainment Tax is inequitable and should be stopped. If it can't be stopped then the tax should be used to fund theatre.

Theatre buildings - existing theatres buildings brought under centralised control,

theatre rents should be controlled

theatres should be put to their proper use

Working party

Musical theatre - recognises the importance of raising the standards of musical theatre!

Training, regulating entry to the theatrical profession by a recognised form of training or apprenticeship

Education

Britain does not provide adequate facilities for education

greater education

establishment of chairs of drama at unis

Childrens theatres

qualified teachers of drama in evening and vocational schools

grant of state aid to students

March 1948

The council held two ordinary and one special meeting.

first preliminary arrangements for Agm

Giving evidence before the Home Office committee, we were asked to put forward the precise standards of accommodation of artists which we suggest should be included in legislation to govern the building of all new theatres. Drafted said report. At the special meeting the chief item was election of the equity delegation to the British Theatre Conference, and a discussion of the procedure and agenda. lastly discussed was television.

General Secretary’s notes include wage freezing and election of council members.

Includes report of the conference (see photo)

May 1948

review of AGM - how civilised by Leslie Banks

Elections

Beatrix was on both the Executive Committee and the Council.

So now even though she is no longer president has twice as many meetings to attend. This is the last year that she appears on the Council in the notes of the newsletter. (Which albeit is sporadic)

Specialists meeting on films being held

This issue includes notes on the AGM for the fist time.

The AGM was held at Wyndham's Theatre on Sunday 9th May 1948, the President (Beatrix Lehmann) was in the chair. In attendance were 594 members.

Resolutions

Equity club

Rehearsal salaries

Conditions for understudies

Contract for tour or season - defeated

Pantomime contract

students in rep

Amateurs in rep

Arts council opera and ballet panel

non-members

television

Ratification of contracts

council - show how council members have voted throughout the year

Agents

lodgings list

clothing coupons

Also notice from secretary about how union should have NO political affiliations  (see photo)

July 1948

Busier time with six meetings of executive committee and two ordinary and one special meeting of council. (9 meetings in two months)

legal cases, labour permits by foreign artists, much of discussion at one meeting 15 legal cases were discussed.

Set up of Emergency Reserve Fund for artists

Council followed up on AGM, ordinary meetings on the film industry

September 1948

Executive committee had seven meetings with 80 items discussed

Disputes and legal cases taking the majority of the time

Council had Special meeting on amendment to the rules,

two ordinary meetings discussed the film campaign problems arising on national insurance and equity organisation in the provinces.

November 1948

Executive committee held six meetings with a total of 71 items discussed.

Council had two ordinary meetings and one special meeting,

Special meeting discussed the equity club and lease of 12 Moor St

Jan 1949

Executive committee had six meetings, A approved submission to the home office, the pantomime campaign was planned and steps taken to put into operation, other topics included discussion of use of films in television

Council had two ordinary meetings and one special meeting.

failure to have a discussion on the rules revision

foreign artists also discussed.

General secretary has six month leave for kidney disease

Two special meetings related to a sharp controversy which arose over payments to choristers in the production High button shoes,

Film production continues to be a problem as does the BBC and national insurance (see photos for details of these two)

VERY IMPORTANT!!!!

Special members meeting held at Whitehall Theatre on Sunday February 13th, 1949,

Discuss Trades Union Congress pamphlet entitled Defend Democracy (find that!) which deals with Communist activities within trade unions. This request, signed by 62 members in full benefit, was submitted to the Equity Officers on Jan 22nd 1949,

The theatre was filled to capacity.

Resolution read as follows

"That the Council accepts the recommendations contained in the Trades Union Congress Pamphlet "Defend Democracy" and invites this special general meeting to endorse this council decision.

following resolutions came before the meeting,

... endorses the Council's support for the recommendations ... as laid down in the pamphlet entitled Defend Democracy, dealing with communist influence with British Trade Unions. 387 votes in favour 192 against

"Equity shall forthwith implement the recommendations of the General Council of the Trades Union Congress that no communist or communist supporter shall be eligible under the rules to hold office or be elected to, or remain in any official position in the Associations

173 votes in favour 327 against - was lost! But was this why Bea was no longer on the committees after this year?

March 1949

Executive committee held four meetings 106 items discussed,

Salary and provincial negotiations

Council

One special and four ordinary meetings.

Television programmes, opera contract, film, London chorus,

The special council meeting was called to discuss whether or not a policy should be formulated on the matter contained in the TUC pamphlet entitled, Defend Democracy, This council resolution was reported in the Jan issue...

General Secretary’s notes on film crisis -which "deepens every day"

Discussion in parliament on abolition of censorship where it was heard that unions supported continuation of censorship, which they didn't!

Article on the abolition of the censorship

Managers strongly in favour of censorship and condemning of conference

May 1949

Gowers report on conditions in theatre for actors was published

Six executive committee meetings, legal cases, and reports

Council three ordinary meetings and three special meetings

attendance of councillors at meetings averaged 17 (would be nice to see minutes to see if Bea was in evidence)

Chorus, film distribution, Civic theatres for professional entertainment,

Annual report, "what equity is doing" possibly locate?

July 1949

has a report calling for tolerance, which speaks of recriminations for people who were founding members.

I get the feeling that there was a strong anti-communist feeling and I feel that poor Beatrix was at the brunt of it. From president, to committee member to nothing in the space of three years. I can guess this would be very demoralising for her. She was so active and interested in politics and saw the union as a way to do that, then the very union turned it's back on her and stood away from any communist ideals. It would explain why after this she turned her attention back to acting and away from activism as it must have seen a lost cause for her. It would be interesting to see what she wrote to her friends and family at this time, and what larger ramifications it had. It seemed to have stopped her writing and made her re-focus on her acting. From the enthusiasm she showed throughout the war period this must have been very disheartening for her.

But makes for a very interesting insight.