THE ROYAL Shakespeare Company is being forced to make major job cuts as it grapples with a “challenging” financial situation.
The theatre company has invited 420 out its 835 full-time staff members to take voluntary redundancy as part of a programme running until October 5, following which compulsory redundancies will begin.
The RSC confirmed some positions will be exempt from the voluntary programme, including people who work for the RSC’s nursery and in catering.
The total number of redundancies has not yet been confirmed.
The move makes this the largest redundancy programme at the RSC since 2020, when the company was impacted by the pandemic.
The redundancy programme is being rolled out as the RSC continues to deal with the increased costs of making theatre, as well as the cost of infrastructure and a decline in money brought in through the box office.
In its most recent accounts, the company said it had total income of £82.04 million against expenditure of £84.45 million.
A joint statement issued by executive director and co-artistic directors Andrew Leveson, Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey reads: “The RSC is transforming so it is best placed to be a leading global theatre company that is part of local, national and international conversations that build connections, create opportunities and spark joy.
“But the conditions in which we operate have become tougher. Materials and energy remain at an all-time high post-pandemic, the costs associated with employing staff have increased, and public investment continues to decline in real terms. And there are ever increasing demands on government spend in intensely challenging economic circumstances.
“Audiences, too, have less money to spend due to the cost-of-living crisis and we can’t expect box office alone to make up the shortfall.
“To thrive – and to survive – the RSC needs to be more agile, resilient and sustainable. Our structure must enable our ambition, not impede it; we must be relentless in our pursuit of working as effectively and efficiently as possible; and we need to generate additional forms of income to invest in the creation of theatre and learning through theatre, which are our founding purpose.
“The need to reduce our cost base is real and urgent. We have held vacancies for some months and wherever possible will continue to do so; and we are now offering as many of our staff as possible the opportunity to apply for voluntary redundancy. Alongside this, we are seeking to make operational efficiencies and to generate additional forms of income.
“This is a challenging moment. But it is our duty – all of us, as custodians of the Royal Shakespeare Company for this time – to ensure that the RSC can bring people together through theatre for generations to come.”
