Kevin Spacey asked to pay interns by union

Kevin Spacey, artistic director of London's Old Vic Theatre, has been asked by the union for backstage and theatre staff BECTU to pay his intern.

The Old Vic website advertises for six three month interns positions, on a full time basis and applicants should be willing to work outside of designated hours if required, it goes on to state that "Interns are given a small contribution towards expenses"

The BECTU are appreciative of the current economic difficulties within the theatre sector but believe "we must work together to ensure new entrants are not exploited on the way".

He urges Spacey to make the positions paid but it looks like it has fallen on deaf ears as the Old Vic made the following statement " the Old Vic, which is owned by a charitable trust, has a small number of short internships which offer young people who are interested in the arts an opportunity to gain experience and insight. we work hard to ensure they are well managed and rewarding for the individuals concerned"

Kevin Spacey stars in Richard III directed by Sam Mendes which previews from this Saturday, the 18th of June and runs until the 11th of September.

Richard III tickets and tour dates are available online.