Dancers at London’s theatres are being forced to leave the capital because they earn less than box office ticket sellers, it was claimed today.
Freelance dancers, who spend years in rigorous training, are allegedly being exploited by some theatres because of cut-throat competition to land roles.
Trade union Equity today published an open letter to the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden demanding a meeting with bosses to address the matter, amid fears the “crazy” pay gap could lead to an exodus of dancers.
In the theatre’s forthcoming production of Polish opera Król Roger, for which at least 700 auditioned for the leading role, dancers were offered £9.14 an hour during rehearsals.
By comparison, box office staff are paid £10.70 an hour, according to a job advertisement published in April.
In its letter, the Equity Freelance Dance Network says: “There is a huge strength of feeling among professional freelancers that the minimum amount offered to dancers at Royal Opera House, and opera in general, shows a huge disparity and a lack of value when compared to the other work that freelancers carry out.
“A dancer working on a small-scale/independent production, with a comparatively tiny budget, will receive a minimum of £430 per week. Why are we not paid above or at least equal to that amount when working for one of the largest, most heavily subsidised arts organisations in the country?”
A 25-year-old dancer, who asked not be named, said the Royal Opera House was one of many theatres which underpays performers. He said: “It’s crazy that dancers are being paid less than the people who sell the tickets …
“People are getting to a certain age and leaving the industry, not because they are less physically able but because they aren’t earning much.
“There is a lot of dance talent about that is leaving London to go to countries where they are paid more, like Germany and Belgium.”
A Royal Opera House spokesman said: “We are currently in discussion with Equity over rates of pay for freelance dancers and actors.”
