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West End Theatres in need of some pest control
04/03/2010
According to a new survey commissioned by actors’ union Equity, three quarters of actors have reported infestations of mice and other vermin in London’s theatres.
The problem has reached serious levels and is exacerbated by actors and theatre staff leaving food around – allowing the mice to “have a party all night,” according to Malcolm Sinclair, Equity’s vice president.
Equity’s general secretary Christine Payne added, “these appalling conditions must come to an end.” However, theatres claim they are already spending a fortune on pest control and cannot bring in the old solution of a theatre cat as this prevents the use of rat and mouse poison.
Actors also complain of seeing traps lying around in their dressing rooms - filling them with dread as soon as they start work. As a result, many find the conditions they have to work in very difficult. One cast member who responded to the survey explained, “I had tiny bite marks on my lipstick recently when I left the lid off.”
However, Green Shield has successfully deployed electromagnetic pest control in some theatres, repelling rodents without the need for the use of poison or traps. This ensures the cast members are not disturbed and can focus on giving a good performance.
