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Royal Court to host events confronting sexual harassment in theatre Royal Court to host events confronting sexual harassment in theatre
(4 months later)
No Grey Area will include industry-wide session on stamping out sexual harassment and event allowing people to tell their stories
Nicola Slawson
Tue 17 Oct 2017 21.36 BST
Last modified on Mon 27 Nov 2017 15.17 GMT
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The Royal Court theatre in London will host two events to confront the abuses of power in the theatre industry, in light of the Harvey Weinstein scandal.The Royal Court theatre in London will host two events to confront the abuses of power in the theatre industry, in light of the Harvey Weinstein scandal.
Two events under the title No Grey Area will be held on Saturday 28 October 2017. One of the events will be an industry-wide session on how to stamp out sexual harassment in theatre.Two events under the title No Grey Area will be held on Saturday 28 October 2017. One of the events will be an industry-wide session on how to stamp out sexual harassment in theatre.
The other will be an event curated by the theatre’s associate director Lucy Morrison, where people who wish to have their stories heard can have a space for them to be told.The other will be an event curated by the theatre’s associate director Lucy Morrison, where people who wish to have their stories heard can have a space for them to be told.
Hollywood can speak out British Theatre must too. I have a responsibility as do many of you to end the abuses of power in our industry 1/2Hollywood can speak out British Theatre must too. I have a responsibility as do many of you to end the abuses of power in our industry 1/2
Last year, the Royal Court held a company-wide meeting on sexual harassment in the theatre which resulted in a mutually agreed verbal code of conduct.Last year, the Royal Court held a company-wide meeting on sexual harassment in the theatre which resulted in a mutually agreed verbal code of conduct.
The theatre’s artistic director Vicky Featherstone said the aim was to “eliminate the so-called grey areas that so often allow people to get away with abuses of power”. The lessons from the code would be shared during the industry wide meeting.The theatre’s artistic director Vicky Featherstone said the aim was to “eliminate the so-called grey areas that so often allow people to get away with abuses of power”. The lessons from the code would be shared during the industry wide meeting.
At the sharing event, members of the theatre will read stories submitted through an open call on the Royal Court website. There will also be an opportunity for people to take part in the reading of the gathered accounts on the day.At the sharing event, members of the theatre will read stories submitted through an open call on the Royal Court website. There will also be an opportunity for people to take part in the reading of the gathered accounts on the day.
No Grey Area was initiated by Featherstone, who tweeted last week that British theatre must speak out as Hollywood has done, and asked for suggestions from followers on what could be done.No Grey Area was initiated by Featherstone, who tweeted last week that British theatre must speak out as Hollywood has done, and asked for suggestions from followers on what could be done.
“Following last week’s revelations concerning Harvey Weinstein it is time to confront the abuses of power that have been occurring in our own industry for years,” Featherstone said.“Following last week’s revelations concerning Harvey Weinstein it is time to confront the abuses of power that have been occurring in our own industry for years,” Featherstone said.
Regarding her call-out for suggestions on Twitter, she said she was overwhelmed by the “open and candid response” from the many people who got in touch and shared their stories.Regarding her call-out for suggestions on Twitter, she said she was overwhelmed by the “open and candid response” from the many people who got in touch and shared their stories.
She said: “What shocked me most was how many of those who approached me were fearful they’d be named and also of the significant negative implications speaking out could have for them. Despite those fears they wanted to have their voices heard to prevent such abuses happening to those coming after them.”She said: “What shocked me most was how many of those who approached me were fearful they’d be named and also of the significant negative implications speaking out could have for them. Despite those fears they wanted to have their voices heard to prevent such abuses happening to those coming after them.”
She said that sexual harassment is systemic and predominately carried out by those in power to people in positions junior to them. “It is across every part of our society,” she said. “If it is not dealt with in an open way we have no hope of change, and change must happen.”She said that sexual harassment is systemic and predominately carried out by those in power to people in positions junior to them. “It is across every part of our society,” she said. “If it is not dealt with in an open way we have no hope of change, and change must happen.”
She also quoted Erica Whyman, deputy artistic director at the Royal Shakespeare Company, who said in an article for The Stage: “I have a responsibility to make our theatre a place where none of us needs to think twice before calling out and addressing behaviour that we all already know is unacceptable.”She also quoted Erica Whyman, deputy artistic director at the Royal Shakespeare Company, who said in an article for The Stage: “I have a responsibility to make our theatre a place where none of us needs to think twice before calling out and addressing behaviour that we all already know is unacceptable.”
Featherstone added: “So come on, let’s end this bullshit.”Featherstone added: “So come on, let’s end this bullshit.”
Sexual harassment
Royal Court theatre
Theatre
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