MU/UK Theatre agreement

Following the agreement being implemented in 2018 for a 3 year period.

Published: 28 August 2019 | 12:00 AM Updated: 28 April 2021 | 4:30 PM

Orchestra musicians playing in theatre — Our agreement will be renegotiated going forward from 5 April 2021. Photo credit: Shutterstock

The written MU/UK Theatre agreement, following the redrafting process, is now available online. Part of the delay was the settling of negotiations between UK Theatre and the Actors union Equity. The rates for Subsistence and Touring Allowance have now been finalised. These are now in place however with some back dating provision attached.

	Subsistence	Touring Allowance
8 April 2019 - 5 April 2020	£173.95	£260.00
6 April 2020 - 4 April 2021	£181.05	£285.00
5 April 2021 - 3 April 2022	£188.15	£300.00

Backdating for 2019-2020 applies as follows: ‘backdating is not required for shows which have ended since 8 April 2019 and whose accounts have closed before 1^st August 2019’. If you feel you are owed Subsistence or Touring Allowance for this period please get in touch: theatre@theMU.org

Our agreement will be renegotiated going forward from 5 April 2021.

If you wish to join the Theatre Section Committee then we will be seeking nominations for the 2020-2022 Committee early next year. Help shape the future of the agreement and your working conditions.

See all news

Get MU membership today

From gig players to part-time teachers and professional instrumentalists, MU members can access specialist insurance for musicians. This includes Public Liability, Instrument and Equipment Insurance, Accident Insurance, Tax Investigation Insurance, and Professional Indemnity Insurance for music teachers.

Explore our member services

Get public liability insurance for musicians
Access expert legal support
Be represented in your profession
Access expert career advice, resources, and training events
Connect, network, and get to know the community of musicians

Learn about all membership benefits

Continue reading

Audience right in front of a stage at a gig, hands raised in the air. Band are on stage, cast in an orange glow from the stage lights.

MU Welcomes Government Focus on the Creative Industries

On Monday the Government published its Creative Industries Sector Plan as part of its Industrial Strategy.

Published: 24 June 2025

Young man, wearing glasses, at home smiling while taking notes and looking at a laptop.

Mentoring 4 Creatives: Applications Now Open for MU Members in Wales

Cult Cymru’s ‘Mentoring 4 Creatives’ programme is open to freelance or casual creative workers who are MU members living in Wales. The deadline for applications is 17 September.

Published: 23 June 2025

Middle-aged man sitting on a sofa with a saxophone on his legs, browsing on his phone.

PRS Members’ Fund and BAPAM Launch InTune: A Free Health and Wellbeing Tool for Musicians

InTune, developed by the PRS Members' Fund with clinical backing from BAPAM, is a new free to use digital platform designed to help songwriters, composers and musicians with personalised health and wellbeing support.

Published: 19 June 2025

Close up exterior of the venue with steps to the entrance with a big sign saying 'Rock City - established in 1980'.

MU Stands with Rock City Workers in Fight for Union Recognition

We’re asking MU members to support a petition highlighting the exploitation of workers at the world-famous venue Rock City in Nottingham.

Published: 18 June 2025

People marching across a village with thatched roofs, holding hand made union banners.

Celebrate Union Pride with the MU at Tolpuddle 2025

Members are invited to join us at this year’s Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival - the biggest celebration of the trade union movement in the Southwest - taking place 18 to 20 July in the beautiful Dorset village of Tolpuddle.

Published: 13 June 2025

All news and features

Cookies on Musicians' Union

Use your voice

Popular searches