It stayed with me and rattled around my head. Whether she knows it or
not, she touched on some very important issues about life in the theatre
workplace., that struck a chord with me. It felt good to know that someone else
shared a similar opinions as me. Then, I was somewhat horrified when I read her
follow
up post about an Actor who made her feel like an idiot, by implying that
by raising issues, such as her choosing to only work with actors who came with
no ego, she was attacking the industry she was in.
The thing that stood out for me, was the issue of bullying in the
workplace (or rather her quips about invoking a rule to only work with a
company that were "normal" human beings and not pretentious, vicious
lovies). So, the response from whoever-this-big-name-actor-is, was to
"suck it up"...is this an acceptable response from anyone, in any
industry? I wonder what the HR dept of your standard company office would think
about that?
And here lies the problem. Weirdly, theatre seems to govern a certain
reverence from people, like a hallowed arena. From people I’ve spoken to and
twitter feeds I’ve seen, the perception of the public about a theatre company,
is that it runs smoothly and everyone is like a happy family. Actually get
behind the safety curtain, it can be, and often is a different matter
altogether.
I've worked in the West End with a beautiful family-like company… and
also with a fractuous, back biting company. I've worked with uncomfortable
regional theatre companies and very comfortable national theatre companies. I
don’t know what it is about Theatre compared to other industries I’ve worked
in, but the egos you can come across are astounding. Of course, also, the
humble and lovely people you meet are as equally astounding.
What I don't understand is, why no one seems to call out those who
possess the drama school, stage brat, diva attitude at work? In my experience,
it just doesn't happen. Weirdly though, it's not just actors, it's stage
managers and behind the scenes folk too. Getting bums on seats, and making
money is the priority of theatreland, understandable. But sadly, it's not about
protecting your company from infectious negativity and diva-like bullying.
When I read about the actor who seemed to slam Jess’s blog post, I rolled
my eyes, and thought "fucking typical". Here is someone, putting something
out there that, in my opinion, Company Managers, Producers and yes, Equity
should listen to.
Why doesn’t people's behaviour have an influence on their career? And
yes, of course it does sometimes – I know of some theatre folk with reputations
for being unreliable, that some producers probably wouldn't touch with a bargepole.
But there isn’t any sort of “we will work with you, if you work like a
professional” culture. In some ways, the subtext of Jess’s blog being sssh’d by
whoever-that-actor-is was, "I doesn’t matter how people treat you if you
the audience loves them, you need to just get on with it and put up with
them". If this was any other workplace, you could probably talk about it
with your manager, and they might be able to do something, because there is a
duty of care, particularly respecting every employee’s right to dignity in the
place. The problem here though, is that the theatre industry is so bloody
competitive, people are scared to rock the boat, and would rather get on with
doing what they love, rather create a problem, and potentially be asked to
leave.
This is wrong.
My friend posted a really interesting article about bullying
in the arts, so at last, it is being brought to light...but will
articles like this ever make a difference? Will the issue keep developing, or
will the people who actually speak up, at work, just get pushed to the back, in
silence?
I decided to leave theatre a couple of years ago. I lived the dream for a
little while, but the reality and the pay cheques meant that I couldn't sustain
a career. I'm happy though, seeing people I worked with go on to bigger and
better things, and still fulfilling my theatre appetite with frequent theatre
binges. Personally though, I wouldn't say I was bullied, but I certainly saw a
lot of things that I knew weren't right, and I probably should have, or could
have said something, anything, to someone. But, I put the reason I didn’t, down
to fear. I adored each and every moment I spent working in theatre - it didn't
feel like work, it felt like a priviledge. I was there to make a piece of
theatre. The purpose of my being there, ultimately, was the show. The show must
go on (cliché, but imperative). I saw people be obstructive at detriment to a
show because they weren't happy about this or that, I saw people deliberately
defy company managers, as well as constantly bitch about the producers… and
just generally create a bad atmosphere. Idiots.
On one show, I didn't really have a defined role, I would just do extra
things, whatever I could to help out, and make “it” work. I remember once, when
we moved into our theatre, and knowing the cast were heading to the stage for
the first time, I helped finish off hoovering the stage for one of the stage
hands. Upon some of the company appearing, I remember being greeted with a
sneer of "Why are you doing that? That's not your job"...I felt dumbfounded,
I felt like shouting back; "you mean, we're too good to clean?". It
didn’t feel like they were joking either. It was ridiculous. For some (I really
emphasise "some") professionals in theatre, it's clear that the only
reason they're there, is for themselves and to massage their
egos. It’s not for the show at all. They want things to run their way, or no
way.
You can't afford to have such an ignorant and abhorrent attitude in life,
so why is OK to have that attitude in theatre? Why isn't it spoken about more?
Do drama schools have a class about "being a professional in the
industry" and teaching respect for each and every director they work for,
even if they don't agree or particularly like what they're doing? They’re in
someone else’s show, to be directed. They’re working with a
team of Stage Managers, who are there to help the Company and the Director put
together the vision. The contract was signed to show that you agree to work
with them, not work against them. Without the Producers, you might not have a show
in the first place, so for pity’s sake, don’t bitch about them.
So, whoever this actor is, I hope they understand that by Jess and other
people pointing out that the theatre isn't always as rosy, as it's fans might
feel it is - that that blog was an opportunity to make a stand to highlight the
better way...not to see it as a reason to chastise someone for pointing out the
fundamental Right of each and everyone of us - dignity in the workplace.
One day, if ever I end up with millions, and running my own Theatre
Company, with my portfolio of international Theatres, oh and with my own
production company to boot - I will be employing those with impeccable
reputations, with a proven track record of demonstrating a fantastic work
ethic. I have no room or time for people who have an ego that is the size of the
West End itself. No time for anyone who can make someone else feel
uncomfortable, without having the balls to apologise when appropriate.
By the way, this is never going to happen…my career focus isn’t on
theatre at the moment…so, if anyone wants to live this out for me, I would
happily oblige by buying an ice cream in the interval and then helping you
hoover the stage at the end of the evening.
Thanks for reading this ranty post.
Marc :)
and 
