The Cambridge Shakespeare Festival is once again under fire as performers, backed by Equity, pursue legal action against festival organisers for continuing to deny actors pay and employment rights.
This comes two years after a 2023 Employment Tribunal found that performers at the 2022 festival were workers—not volunteers—and therefore entitled to National Minimum Wage, holiday pay and other legal protections. Despite this ruling, Equity claims that festival director Dr David Crilly has failed to implement the necessary changes.
Actors at the festival reportedly endured six-day weeks, extremely long rehearsal and performance days, and were required to leaflet as part of their duties. Many were expected to be off-book from the outset, all without pay. Equity maintains that this level of control over performers’ time and labour clearly categorises them as workers under UK law.
It’s disappointing that despite losing a high-profile tribunal, Dr Crilly appears to carry on regardless
said Equity’s Regional Official, Iain Croker. “Our members are professionals and expect to be paid as such. This isn’t just a matter of fairness—it’s the law.”
The festival, which attracts around 25,000 audience members annually and charges up to £20 per ticket, continues to promote casting opportunities without offering pay, prompting several actors to withdraw from 2025 auditions. At least one Cambridge college has already pulled out of supporting the 2026 festival, with others reportedly monitoring the situation closely.
Critics have highlighted the festival’s low production overheads and significant revenue, questioning why performers still go unpaid. A petition is now circulating, urging Dr Crilly and the festival to comply with the tribunal’s ruling and pay actors fairly.
Equity warns that the festival faces further legal consequences if it continues to violate employment law, potentially threatening its existence. “We urge the Festival to respect professional performers and comply with UK employment legislation,” Croker added.
