Anything Doesn’t Go: The Safer Theatres Charter In The UK

Anything Doesn’t Go is the new campaign from BECTU (The Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union) which aims to tackle Anti-social behaviour in UK theatres. Following a ‘mini riot’ that broke out in Manchester earlier in April at a performance of The Bodyguard, new measures are being taken to protect those who work in the theatre.

The incident in question has been widely reported, including by the BBC, who described how members of the audience were singing along loudly to the performances and annoying other patrons, leading to a physical altercation breaking out, the show being stopped, and security intervening at the venue.

The Anything Doesn’t Go campaign

As part of the campaign, BECTU conducted a survey of over 1500 theatre workers which looked at audience behaviours across the UK, and have launched the ‘Safer Theatres Charter’, which calls on venue management to take a more proactive approach to tackling anti-social behaviour.

The survey found that 80% had experienced “acts of bullying, violence, intimidation, harassment, or abuse” while at work.

Many reported that this problem has become worse since the Covid-19 pandemic, and that audience behaviour is becoming more extreme and violent.

From West End musicals to opera houses, pantos and ballet performances, theatre workers shared their experiences of regular brawls, vandalism, assault, racial abuse and more. No one should have to put up with this at work.

Read more about the Anything Doesn’t Go campaign

You can also add your signature via BECTU’s online form

The Charter calls on venue management to take a more proactive, thorough and zero-tolerance approach to tackling this sort of behaviour and calls for them to:

• Publish consistent and prominent announcements, both verbal and written, prior to shows, on tickets and in publicity materials stressing the high standards of behaviour expected from audiences.
  • Publish the policies and procedures that they have in place to deal with unacceptable conduct.
• Recognise that high levels of alcohol consumption can create an unsafe environment for audiences and staff.
  • Publish risk assessments relating to the sale and consumption of alcohol in the whole venue, and specifically in auditoriums.
  • Publish door policies along with a risk assessment related to the admission of people who bring alcohol in and/or are deemed under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
• Enforce a zero-tolerance policy towards anti-social behaviour, including intoxication, violent, abusive or discriminatory behaviour towards other members of the audience or staff.
  • This should include any behaviour that distracts, disrupts, and otherwise prevents members of the audience from enjoying the performance (including reference to the use of mobile phones and filming of performances or staff).
• Commit to applying all policies, procedures and risk assessments consistently, equip workers with the necessary training, and ensure adequate and safe staffing levels.
• Ensure sufficient resources and security staff to apply policies on admission, alcohol sales/consumption, and unacceptable behaviour.
  • This may include the use of CCTV and staff bodycams to gather evidence that may be passed to the police where appropriate.
  • These considerations should be detailed in all risk assessments.

Read the full Charter and sign it via BECTU’s online form

Also by Michelle Sciarrotta:

Accessibility At The Smith Center Series: Part One

James “Fitz” FitzSimmons Interview: The Boys In The Band On Netflix

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