Theatre critics must consider their own ethnicity and privilege, new rules urge
Alex Green, PA Entertainment Reporter
23 April 2021, 12:26 pm
Theatre critics should consider whether their own ethnicity and relative privilege makes them best placed to write about a particular topic, according to new rules drawn up by the Equity trade union.
The body, which represents more than 47,000 actors, performers and stage crew, has set out a package of guidelines to guard against “unconscious bias”.
Equity said it is making the recommendations in part to encourage the growth of a more culturally diverse body of critics.
Equality and diversity officer Ian Manborde said the guidance arose from “a long, problematic history of Equity members receiving criticism involving their race, ethnicity or skin colour with no objective, evidential reason”.