Royal Court to host day of events in response to Harvey Weinstein revelations
Royal Court artistic director Vicky Featherstone will hold a day of events later this month in response to the Harvey Weinstein revelations of the past weeks.
On Friday, Featherstone tweeted "If 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", and asked followers for their thoughts on what can be done.
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 1/2
— Vicky Featherstone (@vicfeatherstone) October 11, 2017
Thoughts on what I/we should do? 2/2
— Vicky Featherstone (@vicfeatherstone) October 11, 2017
She has now responded with a statement saying what shocked her about the responses was that "I have a responsibility as do many of you to end the abuses of power in our industry", and cited a meeting held at the Royal Court last year to mutually agree a verbal code of conduct for staff at the theatre.
She will now lead a similar industry-wide town hall-style event on 28th October, which will pass on information the theatre has learnt from policies, and aim to learn from others in the industry. The town hall discussion will take place at 2.30pm in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs.
The Royal Court has also set up an anonymous online forum calling for the public to share their stories and experiences, which will be read in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs from 12pm to 5pm. It will be curated by Royal Court associate director Lucy Morrison, and stories can be submitted via the Royal Court website.
Featherstone said: "Whether you consider it a big or small thing, if someone in a position of power over you has made you feel sexually compromised, or at all uncomfortable, then be brave, tell us what happened. We will take care of your story."
Both events are free, but the Town Hall Meeting is a ticketed event.
Vicky Featherstone's full statement is available to read on the Royal Court website.
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