Some West End shows could ‘go dark’ as Equity members back possible strikes
Summary
Members of the theatre workers’ union Equity voted strongly in favor of possible strikes over pay and working conditions in West End shows. Negotiations between Equity and theatre producers have stalled, and if no agreement is reached soon, some shows could close temporarily during a strike.Key Facts
- 98% of Equity union members voted yes to potential strikes in a recent ballot.
- Equity has about 1,000 members working on 44 West End shows.
- Theatre attendance in the UK reached record levels last year, with over 17 million attending West End shows.
- Despite high demand, production costs have doubled in the past ten years, while London ticket prices remain lower than in Broadway.
- Equity seeks a 7% annual pay increase for three years, better holiday pay, and improved pay for injuries on the job.
- Negotiations with the Society of London Theatre (Solt) have been ongoing since December 2025 but have not resolved key issues.
- A meeting is scheduled for June 10 to try to reach an agreement before a formal strike vote.
- Equity plans to target major weekend shows if strikes occur, but not all West End productions would shut down.
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