Performers’ union Equity and Brighton Fringe have announced a landmark collaborative partnership designed to celebrate the vital role of fringe festivals as champions of grassroots talent, and to actively raise standards in fringe theatre.
The partnership, underpinned by an agreement which is the first of its kind between Equity and a UK fringe festival, builds on Brighton Fringe’s existing work to empower artists and venues, establishing shared commitment to developing a sustainable, fair, and thriving platform for the sector. The new agreement outlines a collaborative framework to support participating artists and venues in implementing and achieving best practice.
The agreement also champions transparency and fairness, supporting venue operators in issuing clear agreements that outline hire charges, box office splits, and financial obligations from the outset, operating fairly and transparently.
The agreement clearly sets out how Equity and Brighton Fringe will work together to ensure all performers, creative team members, and stage management are protected at a producing level under employment law - including access to minimum wage, holiday pay, and statutory rest breaks, and all crew properly credited for their work.
Equity and Brighton Fringe will jointly develop best-practice anti-harassment and Safer Spaces policies, and champion environmental sustainability; supporting venues and artists in adopting greener practices and reducing the festival's environmental impact.
Milly Arnott, Equity Organiser for the East and Southeast, said: “Equity is thrilled to have worked with Brighton Fringe on securing this first of its kind agreement. Gigging performers and artists working in fringe theatre face some of the most precarious conditions in this sector and so ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our members in the workplace is an absolute priority.
“Combining Equity’s expertise in protecting performers’ rights with Brighton Fringe’s influence across participating venues, the agreement marks a major step forward in raising standards and strengthening protections for performers across the UK fringe festival sector.
“We encourage other fringe festivals to reach out to Equity about using similar agreements – and if you are a producer intending to participate in Brighton Fringe 2027, please get in touch to discuss using an Equity contract.”
Jonathan Maydew, Brighton Fringe Festival Executive Director said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Equity in this landmark agreement which will empower and support the artists and venues who make Brighton’s fringe festival such a special and transformative space.
“Fringe festivals play a vital role in the UK’s arts ecology. They’re where so much new talent finds its feet and where bold new work is developed and platformed.
“This agreement ensures we can provide the collaborative guidance and support to make that happen: giving venues the resources to do it even better, and artists the confidence and security to focus on making their best work.
“It also helps show what a fringe can represent and achieve, and is a real step towards Brighton Fringe’s ambition of being the most artist-centric, community-driven fringe possible.”
