Equity: Mumbling is fault of 'problem' TVs, not actors

Equity has refused calls from members to investigate actors mumbling in television dramas, claiming the problem lies instead with modern TVs.

Responding to recent rows over the audibility of dramas including BBC1’s Happy Valley, it was suggested at the Equity Annual Representative Conference that the union should look into whether the background music of these dramas is too loud – which Equity’s council opposed.

Proposing the idea, Chris Dale – from Equity’s Merseyside Variety Branch – claimed the problem lay with poor sound mixing of TV shows, as well as unclear dialogue spoken by actors.

He stated that “mumbling and music is not a good recipe”, and suggested that “clarity of diction and clarity of music will enable to storyline to come through to all”.

But Equity councillor Adam Burns explained the issue was in fact because of poor TV sound settings, which were “completely outside the remit of this trade union” to lobby against.

He said: “The problem is your TV. It’s not anything else. There is a problem with TV sound, and we’re not unsympathetic. That problem has nothing to do with programme makers, sound recordists, performers, or anyone else involved in making that programme. Why on earth would a producer wreck their own product?”

However, Burns did promise that the union would put information on its website to explain how people can fix the sound settings on their TVs.

After going to a vote, the motion to investigate TV mumbling and music levels was defeated, with 53 members voting against, 36 in favour, and 17 abstaining.

In April it emerged that BBC director general Tony Hall had ordered an investigation into mumbling in the corporation’s TV drama, after the outcry over sound issues in Happy Valley.

A poll conducted by The Stage suggested that 80% of viewers think actors do not speak clearly enough on stage and screen.