Dear Colleague,
You may recall that, at our last Exec meeting, I reminded you that the Union was in the process of presenting a complaint [Read more…]
Report from Irish Equity and Equity Action Group
Members, read the report from the Irish Equity and Equity Action Group meeting which was held on September 19th 2013 READ NOW
EQUITY AGM
Hello All,
Please find links to the formal notice for this year’s AGM along with a Nomination Form and a form for submitting a Motion. These forms can be posted to Irish Equity, Liberty Hall, Dublin 1 or can be emailed to equity@siptu.ie.
The meeting will start at 2.30 p.m. but we are asking members to come along at about 2pm for tea/coffee so that we can make a timely start to 2.30 p.m. Our colleagues from Equity UK will be addressing the meeting as will SIPTU Vice President Patricia King so I look forward to a good discussion with you all.
I hope you can make it on the day.
Karan O’Loughlin
Sectoral Organiser
Irish Equity
Arts & Culture Sector
SIPTU
Social Protection Update
On a regular basis we hear about the difficulties that actors face at their local social welfare offices during periods of unemployment so we went to meet the Department of Social Protection to talk to them about the following issues READ MORE [Read more…]
Acclaimed actor who looked out for colleagues
Stage and screen actor Susan Fitzgerald has died following a long battle with cancer. Susan was a versatile and talented actor who performed across theatre, television and film. She was married to the artistic director of the Gate theatre, Michael Colgan, who survives her along with her children Sarah, Sophie and Richard. She will be greatly missed by her colleagues in Equity and the artistic community. Her funeral took place in Dublin on Wednesday 11th September.
Her Equity colleague, Laurence Foster, recalls working with Susan: “On behalf of Equity President, Padraig Murray, and the Executive Committee we wish to convey our personal tribute to our colleague, Susan Fitzgerald.
“In May 1974, the cast of TV’s The Riordans embarked on a long tour of the celebrated play, Peg o’ My Heart. I was cast as Sir Gerry and the young, snobbish daughter, was played by Susan Fitzgerald. She was Ethel personified: proud, ethereal, infuriating. The prolonged run exceeded 200 performances and, like Susan’s friendships, her acting was consistent and her talent formidable. “Susan kept her life private, but was so generous on stage and in the green room. She radiated charm and elegance in everything she did, and her many Gate Theatre performances were iconic. “In 2006 we shared an apartment in Charleston, South Carolina while touring with the Gate Theatre. Even Susan’s penchant for losing the car in multi-storey parks was endearing, but her social skills were abundant, never at a loss in the most exalted company and always looking after fellow actors.
“Her untimely exit has left a void in the theatre world and in our hearts, but her legacy will live forever. May God hold her in the palm of his hand.”
Laurence Foster is a member of the Equity Executive
Aidan Gillen to visit IFI for Mister John Preview
IFI Press Release: 12th Aug 2013
Aidan Gillen to visit IFI for a preview screening of Mister John and Q+A with director Joe Lawlor on 17th Sept at 18.30.
The IFI is to host a special preview of Joe Lawlor and Christine Molloy’s film Mister John on Sept 17th at 18.30. The second feature from the Desperate Optimists duo behind Helen and the acclaimed Civic Life film programme, Mister John confirms Lawlor and Molloy as original and distinctive filmmakers. Lawlor will be joined by the film’s star Aidan Gillen (The Wire, Game of Thrones, Love/Hate) to discuss the film in a post-show Q+A.
Mister John follows Gerry Devine (Gillen) as he travels to Singapore where his estranged brother, a bar owner who has possibly been involved in nefarious activities, has died in a drowning accident. It emerges that Gerry is running away from his own problems at home, and, as he becomes more immersed in a foreign culture and environment, taking on his brother’s mantle becomes appealing to him. The trouble is he is not exactly a suitable substitute for the dead man.
A story involving snakebites, Asian superstition and dream sequences, it’s a film that has a hallucinatory and poetic edge. Mister John is an elegant, smart film with a wry and winning sense of humour and Aidan Gillen is mesmerising as a man falling apart at its centre.
Tickets are available now at the IFI Box Office on 01 679 3477 or book online at www.ifi.ie
Mister John runs at the IFI from September 27th
For more media information please contact Patrick Stewart at the IFI Press Office on 01 679 5744 or email pstewart@irishfilm.ie
The IFI acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council.
Department of Social Protection
Irish Equity, on behalf of its members has been engaging the Department of Social Protection to ease the difficulties experienced by our members when dealing with local offices during their non working periods. As part of this engagement we have secured the commitment from the Department that actors will not be targeted as part of the 12 month TUS scheme. If an actor wishes to participate then they can have the flexibility to opt out for periods of employment within their profession. The letter below from the Department can be used by any Irish Equity member in their dealing with local offices of the Department of Social Protection.
Any members encountering other kinds of difficulty with the Department should email us at equity@siptu.ie to advise us as we are collecting information on these issues that actors face on a regular basis so that we can continue to lobby the Department for change.
Great savings for Equity members
Great savings for Equity members
