Equity presidential hopefuls in final push

Published Tuesday 11 July 2006 at 13:20 by Alistair Smith

Harry Landis, Graham Hamilton and Teri Scoble have entered the final week in the battle to become Equity’s president for the next two years.

Incumbent Landis is standing for re-election as an independent following the Representative Group’s decision to chose current vice-president Hamilton as its appointed candidate, while Scoble has put herself forward with the support of the Members4Members faction.

While Landis is seen by many as the narrow favourite to retain his post, Hamilton has the support of the ruling group and Scoble, while an outsider, could be seen as a fresh face in keeping with general secretary Christine Payne’s plans to modernise the union. Ballots will close on Friday, July 14.

Landis has served as president for the past four years, has been an Equity councillor since 1991 and joined the union in 1955. He has enjoyed a long and varied career as an actor and a director, appearing on EastEnders as Felix the barber, while also working on plays by John Osborne and Arnold Wesker at the Royal Court. Among his supporters are Donald Sinden, Oliver Ford Davies and Julian Glover.

“I’m now in the thick of negotiations about levels of pay in the subsidised repertory sector and it would be pity for me not to carry that through,” he explained. “Stephen Spence and I are leading a strong team and I want to be there to finish that.

“I’m also working very well with Christine and we’ve already achieved some very interesting things and I hope to carry on with that… With a new general secretary we need continuity and stability. My experience as president will be invaluable.”

Hamilton has been vice-president during the past eight years and has enjoyed spells on Equity’s council since 1973, having also served as vice president in 1977, 78, 82 and 84. The longest serving current officer, he has played Fagin in Oliver! in the West End and is best known for his appearances as a pantomime villain. He now works as joint membership secretary at the Phoenix Artist Club. Among his supporters are Derek Jacobi, Jimmy Cricket and Miriam Margolyes.

“Having played a leading part in Equity’s democratisation, modernisation and refurbishment, I now want to work with our new general secretary to implement her plan to improve communication, services, equal opportunities and training across the union,” commented Hamilton. “Above all, I want a strong trade union with an effective voice for every branch of our profession ready to take on the challenges of this digital age.”

Teri Scoble served as an Equity councillor representing choreographers from 2002 to 2004. She has also sat on the health and safety, choreographers and London area committees, having joined the union when she was 16. As an actress she has appeared on TV and in theatre and done extensive work as a choreographer- including with Marc Bolan and the Bay City Rollers. Among her supporters are Lionel Blair, Bobby Davro and Arlene Phillips.

“It’s been pretty well noticed what’s going on at Equity. I was asked to stand last time for president, but things have been happening and I’ve now decided that it’s time to put up or shut up,” said Scoble. “I feel a huge frustration that it’s all got a bit staid and it needs updating. The union is not an exclusive club - times have changed and we should be more flexible and inclusive.”