An off-West End theatre is embroiled in a row after staff were asked to send a paragraph to management stating why they should be kept on.
The letter issued to front-of-house staff at The Other Palace in Victoria asked them to send a “brief paragraph” explaining why they should be rehired when the award-winning Heathers: The Musical ends its run on September 3.
Critics have accused the venue of ‘fire and rehire’-style practices because there is only a four-day gap between the end of Heathers and the start of Roger and Percy, a comedy starring Sir Ian McKellen and Roger Allam.
But the 312-seater venue said the affected staff were on fixed and casual contracts that had been due to end on September 3. It said these were new opportunities which would be on fixed hours and same rates of pay.
The controversy has been deepened by claims that some staff were not made aware of the show’s closure before it was announced on social media, and that others have been told to send away union officials who have enquired about the row.
This was denied as “entirely unfounded” by the theatre.
One staff member at the theatre said the situation has caused “a lot of stress, frustration and anger,” while another added it had left them feeling “disappointed”.
Head of the theatre union Bectu, Philippa Childs, told the Standard: “Reports of staff being told to send away union officials, and that staff were not made aware of the show’s closure before it was announced on social media, are very concerning.
“It’s critical that workers can feel safe raising concerns, both with their union and in the workplace, and that they are kept informed of any changes to their current or future employment prospects.
“We are in touch with our members working at the venue and strongly encourage anyone with concerns regarding this issue or with the theatre’s management or operations in general to contact their union official.”
Among those criticising the letter was actor and producer Ben Fletcher, who said it showed “little more than contempt for those who are the real heart of this industry."
In a statement, a spokesperson for theatre said: “As with many London theatres, we offer fixed term contracts to front of house staff in line with the run of a production.
“Once the next production has been announced we then offer them the opportunity to continue working with us.
“We have issued a standard letter to front of house employees on casual and fixed term contracts which are due to end on 3rd September in line with the end of the current show.
“We were pleased to let them know that there was the opportunity to continue working with us should they wish to be considered, and are delighted by the number who have expressed an interest. We will be continuing to employ the same number of front of house staff on the same rates of pay as we currently do.”
The spokesperson added that union representatives were “always most welcome to visit”.
The Other Palace was established by theatre grandee Andrew Lloyd Webber before being purchased by current owner Bill Kenwright, the producer and Everton FC chairman, in 2021.
