We are petitioning for theatre productions to change their performance schedule to allow company members to spend a weekend day with loved ones and live less antisocial hours to have a better work life balance.

So many company members miss out on spending time with their family and friends due to them working a normal work week, against our antisocial work week. Predominately Sundays. This means birthdays gatherings, celebrations, anniversaries, brunch with friends, family roast dinner, afternoon walk with a parent, going on a first date, a full day playing fort with your child, are missed.

Unlike the US, the UK does not pay the same way in terms of Sunday payment, so there is minimal monetary reimbursement for a day away from loved ones. Broadway have set the norm for Sunday performances, but that does not mean the UK and Europe should follow their cultural schedule.

Some parents and caregivers (who are most often women) feel discriminated against by being contracted to work Sunday performances and must then find carers and/or childcare that is often double the price on a Sunday. Religious company members are unable to attend services due to work commitments. All of whom are conflicted about choosing work over family members, their children, or their religion.

Many people in the industry feel forced to leave an industry they love, have trained, and worked in for years, because the work-life balance is not there . This became apparent after COVID when we were able to enjoy a Sunday with our family and friends.

Perspective of a CSM: I regularly end up working on a Monday as GM/Producers have questions about the payroll so it can be signed off Tuesday morning. Or marketing requests that were not finalised by 5pm on Friday but need to be scheduled in for the beginning of the week. A seven-day working week becomes a regular occurrence as our days are out of alignment with the office.

From the perspective of an Actor:  As a parent evenings and Saturday shows are only just manageable, but by also working Sunday I miss out on a full day with my children. This has a huge knock-on effect to work/life balance, and therefore a toll on my mental and physical health. 

We would like to petition for this to be taken into consideration and for production companies, theatres, and producers to reflect this by changing their show schedule to allow and recognise the importance of friends and family time.

Below are options of scheduling we would like to discuss and be contemplated for future and current productions:

Option 1) 8 Shows a week, Monday to Saturday

Option 2) 8 Shows a week, Tuesday to Saturday, with three matinees 

Please sign this petition if you would like a change to the theatre work week and like to spend more family and friend’s time.