Theatre workers coming to work ‘fearing for their safety’ after rise in audience anti-social behaviour

Theatre workers are going to work fearing for their safety because of a “deeply disturbing” rise in anti-social behaviour from audiences, according to new research.

A survey involving 1,500 members of theatre union Bectu has laid bare how incidents have become more extreme following the COVID pandemic.

Nearly half of respondents said they have thought about leaving the industry as a result, while the union wants to drive “urgent” change to prevent the “wholly unacceptable” behaviour.

Incidents reported included physical aggression, threats of violence, sexual harassment or assault, mass brawls, assaults on staff or other members of the audience, racial slurs, inappropriate use of mobile phones, and vandalism to a venue.

Other issues highlighted were general disorder and unsafe, intoxicated or lewd behaviour.

Head of Bectu, Philippa Childs, said: “People are coming to work fearing for their safety and dealing with behaviour no one should have to put up with.

“Our findings are a resounding call for the industry to do better by its workers, and for audiences to consider and amend their behaviour.

“The scale and nature of many of the instances reported is deeply disturbing and we will be working with the industry to do all we can to drive urgent and tangible change.

“What is clear from these responses is that these instances are neither rare nor isolated, nor are they relegated to a certain type of performance or geographical location.

“Across the country people are facing regular aggression and abuse simply for carrying out their jobs.

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“This is wholly unacceptable and we urge venues and industry bodies to commit to working with us to tackle this endemic issue.

“What we’ve uncovered is that anti-social behaviour extends far beyond relatively minor issues of someone talking during a performance or playing on their mobile phone.”

Most of those surveyed, mainly working in front of house, hospitality, box office, stage door, sound and lighting, reported having directly experienced or witnessed poor audience behaviour.

Bectu said its study revealed a sense of audience “entitlement” and it has launched a Safer Theatres Charter which calls on venue management to take a more proactive and zero-tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour.