The Stage

Arts councils back nationwide campaign to promote equal roles in theatre

Published Tuesday 21 April 2009 at 15:35 by Matthew Hemley

The arts councils of England, Wales and Scotland are backing the launch of a new nationwide campaign, which urges producers, directors and writers to strive for equal gender portrayal in theatre.

Called 50:50, the project has been set up with development money from all three arts councils and with equivalent funding from organisations in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Campaign pioneer Helen Alexander said: “The primary aim of the 50:50 project is to encourage recognition and responsibility for the relationship between drama and society - how it stimulates, challenges and perpetuates perceptions. We advocate a broad and fairly balanced representation of men and women in drama.

To achieve this, Alexander said employment opportunities within the industry, particularly with regards to women, had to be addressed. Over a six-year period she hopes to involve directors, producers, programmers, playwrights and others in ensuring a fairer ratio of women on stage and a greater range of roles.

She added: “Some laudable progress has been made by individual theatre companies, directors, producers and writers, but still the imbalance persists, and could continue for decades more, unless permanent choices are made by all the significant decision-makers within the industry.”

The project is expected to be launched this year. Initiatives planned include inviting arts organisations to sign pledges of intent. Theatre companies will also be asked to monitor how many female actors, directors and writers they have employed. A website, providing directors and companies with a list of productions by, featuring or about women, is also planned.

The 50:50 project has already formed a strategic partnership with Stellar Quines, a Scottish theatre company that promotes the work of female playwrights, directors and actors, which Alexander said will be operating the project in Scotland.

She is now looking to forge similar partnerships in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. In addition, Alexander is looking to appoint members to the project’s board, and to enlist support from high-profile industry figures.

Anyone interested should email fiftyfiftygroup@ymail.com.