Some West End shows could ‘go dark’ as Equity members back possible strikes

Key points

• Some of the biggest West End shows could be forced to temporarily close during a “summer of turbulence” in London after union members voted to move towards strike action over a dispute about pay and conditions.
• An indicative ballot held by the performing arts union, Equity, was overwhelmingly backed by its membership: 98% voted yes to potential strikes.
• The result means the union now has the right to have a statutory ballot on taking industrial action.
• A recent report on British theatre found that demand for live performance had never been higher.
• Last year, 37 million people attended shows around the UK and more than 17 million did so in the West End.