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West End Depping Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct is a guide to best practice when using deps within the West End theatre.

Last updated: 27 March 2024

The Code of Conduct is a guide to best practice when using deps within the West End. It has been put together by the West End Sub Committee and represents the view of the Musicians’ Union as to how chairholders on shows should contract their deps.

  • Payment to deps should be made within 7 days of the invoice for the depped period being received by the chairholder. Ideally the invoice to be sent to the chairholder within 7 days of the relevant period.
  • A period spanning more than one payment period may be paid at the end of the second payment period if mutually agreed.
  • Once the offer of work to a dep has been accepted, cancellation of this work should only occur if the show itself is cancelled or the chair holder is instructed to perform the show in question.
  • Deps to be sent a show recording and up-to-date dep pad in good time.
  • Backdated pay rises should be passed to the deps once received.
  • New deps to be given details of fees, show timings and local rules regarding time to be in the pit etc. Fixer details should also be shared in case of emergency.
  • All relevant overtime payments to be passed on to deps.
  • Deps should be told which instruments will be left in the pit for them to use and which they will need to bring in.