New UK Theatre Agreement

On Friday the new President of the Writers Guild of the UK, David Edgar, signed a new TNC agreement on behalf of the Guild. TNC is shorthand for the first minimum-terms collective agreement between the Writers Union and the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Court, which was established in 1979.

This agreement has been under review for several years, and new terms have been negotiated. Writers for the stage will now receive an upfront fee of £10,000 (the combined commission, delivery and acquisition fees) in all RSC, NT and RC spaces except for the Theatre Upstairs. This payment will also serve as a benchmark for the Guild's further negotiations with other companies.

The new agreement also cements that playwrights are entitled to payment for all the days they attend rehearsals (with their accommodation expenses covered), and for conducting other production-related business. The playwrights' right to casting approval is also safeguarded.

There are a number of other changes, including a shortening of the option period from eight months down to six months, and it even covers the issue of how extracts of the play may be displayed on the theatre's website.