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Legal Eagle

Overseas

Q: Foreign entertainers working in the UK

I am an Australian entitled to a four-year visa in the UK due to English ancestry. I have heard that, before I can work in professional theatre in Britain, I have to have worked for a certain amount of time in amateur theatre, is this true?

A: Foreign entertainers who wish to work in the UK normally require a work permit but there are certain exceptions. One of these is if the individual concerned is a commonwealth citizen allowed into the UK on the basis that a grandparent was born here. Since you say you have a visa based on English ancestry, this probably applies to you.

Another exception is for an amateur entertainer, coming into the UK for one or more specific engagements. However, if, after working as an amateur in such circumstances, the individual concerned then requires to undertake professional work, a work permit will be needed unless he falls in any of the other exceptions. There is, for example, an exception for a professional entertainer participating in an international cultural event sponsored by a government or a recognised international organisation, or in another international event on an approved list, such as the Edinburgh Festival. You should note, however, that visitors, students and holidaymakers are not normally allowed to switch to work permit employment whilst remaining in the UK.

If, as would seem to be the case, you fall within the first exception because of your English ancestry, that will suffice to cover paid professional work without a permit.

If you wish to become a member of Equity (the Actor's trade union) you will not be able to obtain full membership unless you have had more than 30 weeks professional experience but you can apply for provisional or temporary membership if you either have a work permit or are exempt from needing one. You do not have to become a member of Equity in order to work professionally but you will find that many production companies will not employ you otherwise. I am not aware of any period of work as an amateur being required in order to qualify for work in professional theatre.

Probably Equity will want to be satisfied that you have at least some minimal theatrical experience before granting you provisional or temporary membership but if, as you say, you have worked in co-operative theatre.

First published November 2001