UK: Theatres will BAN the phrase 'ladies and gentlemen' under new guildelines from actors' union Equity

Audiences will no longer hear the words, 'ladies and gentlemen', while performers should not have 'backhanded compliments' or be described as 'brave', under new gender-neutral guidelines from actors' union, Equity.

Published last week, the advice is aimed at people and venues working with LGBT performers.

Campaigners for LGBT rights say that such phrases as 'ladies and gentlemen' exclude people who do not identify as male or female, but rather as non-binary, such as singer Sam Smith.

Equity's guide also advises against compliments on 'appearance, clothing, voice, quality, identity or the performer being brave', the Sunday Times reports.

Following the publication of the guide, the National Theatre pledged to phase out 'ladies and gentlemen', while the Royal Shakespeare Company said it would, 'strive to create environments which welcome and support trans people and people who identify their gender as fluid'.

Meanwhile Nica Burns, co-owner of Nimax Theatre, said: 'Coming to the theatre is a shared and communal experience in one single auditorium and we want to please our audience and give them a great evening. We wouldn't want anyone to feel offended or annoyed.'

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