Actors' Equity Association - Exchange of Actors Between U.S. and U.K.

Exchange of Actors Between U.S. and U.K.

"Under the current rules, a producer who wants to bring a British actor to New York must seek the approval of Actors Equity, the American union, just as British Equity's approval is needed to bring an American actor to London. In theory the two unions try to balance the exchange. But over the years some Britons have charged that provisions for exchange have been unevenly and unfairly applied." Many feel the restrictions should be loosened or ended, while others claim the flow of talent across the Atlantic is mostly one way, from the UK to the United States. While established stars are admitted automatically, the problem arises with non-star talent.