Gate theatre employees speak out about director Michael Colgan's behaviour

Aineoil · 04-11-2017 09:13PM

Wanderer2010 wrote: »

So many people forget bullying is against the LAW.

I did not know this. Bullies are everywhere, but female bullies are the worst.

Prune Tracy · 04-11-2017 09:22PM

Aineoil wrote: »

I did not know this. Bullies are everywhere, but female bullies are the worst.

An unusual thing to say in a thread about a male alleged bully (and the alleged behaviour is pretty shocking).

In my opinion, gender doesn't make a person a worse bully. Male and female bullies may use different "techniques" but I don't think one sex is worse for it than the other sex. Bullies are bullies.

elperello · 04-11-2017 10:22PM

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/art-council-announces-spending-for-2016-1.2484751

€860,000 Arts Council Funding for the Gate in 2016. The same in 2015.

evolving_doors · 04-11-2017 10:28PM

It'd be nice if there were recordings

currants · 04-11-2017 10:39PM

elperello wrote: »

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/art-council-announces-spending-for-2016-1.2484751

€860,000 Arts Council Funding for the Gate in 2016. The same in 2015.

This is what I cant figure out, are there no corporate governance models for Arts Organisations?
How did he and the rest of management get away with (not) running the place properly for so long? There are allegations about him going back 30 years.
After their defence of O'Searcaigh I suppose I shouldn't be surprised at anything the Arts Council do but there should have been proper HR systems in place to prevent this type of scandal and any organisation that can't demonstrate they have systems in place to comply with employment legislation shouldn't receive any state funding. I hope this blows the lid off the whole Arts scene and a proper clean out happens.

humberklog · 04-11-2017 11:27PM

Wanderer2010 wrote: »

This piece of crap needs to be arrested, hes actually breaking the law. So many people forget bullying is against the LAW. He needs to be arrested and if found guilty, then jailed. Makes me sick that so many cnuts out there think they can bully others.

Could you point me in the direction (or provide a link) to the legislation that clearly states bullying is illegal and has a penalty of imprisonment?

I didn't know it existed, I thought it was more a to do with taking Civil cases and/or unfair dismissal cases.

This is in no way defending Colgan. It's just that sometimes I see 'it's the law" but I've never heard of such a law.

*not talking about cyber-bullying but bullying in the work place.

Sunflower 27 · 05-11-2017 01:31PM

It's astonishing so many kept quiet. In saying that he was the ultimate bully: gathering personal information and then using it against his employees, insinuating they will never work in the industry again (because he had, in his eyes, so much power). To treat any woman this way is intolerable, but to do it to young, naive women desperate to climb the ladder and boost their professional careers.... He truly is a vile and disgusting specimen of a man.

This appears to be a long time coming. I plan to watch his downfall with absolute delight.

cloudatlas · 05-11-2017 01:37PM

Sunflower 27 wrote: »

It's astonishing so many kept quiet.

They didn't keep quiet some confronted him and then went to management, one even sought legal advice and they were treated with disdain.

Grace Dyas who broke the story said that when she approached the newspapers they wouldn't go forward with it until she had other women come forward and that is why she posted her own experience initially on her blog because the journalists wouldn't go near it. He is an absolute disgusting human being and I hope he is shunned going forward and has speaking invitations revoked. They should take a case against the theatre.

Sunflower 27 · 05-11-2017 01:39PM

cloudatlas wrote: »

Sunflower 27 wrote: »

It's astonishing so many kept quiet.

They didn't keep quiet some confronted him and then went to management, one even sought legal advice and they were treated with disdain.

Grace Dyas who broke the story said that when she approached the newspapers they wouldn't go forward with it until she had other women come forward and that is why she posted her own experience initially on her blog because the journalists wouldn't go near it. He is an absolute disgusting human being and I hope he is shunned going forward and has speaking invitations revoked. They should take a case against the theatre.

I'm referring to those that were aware of his behaviour, not those abused. I am aware Grace broke the story, I have been watching it closely since it broke.

markodaly · 05-11-2017 01:41PM

Why is it that so many of these people are of the artistic, film making, theatre vibe? These would generally be tolerant progressive work settings.

05-11-2017 01:44PM

Full of individuals told from a very early age that everything they did or wanted to do was wonderful and rules are for other, less gifted mugs.

markodaly · 05-11-2017 01:46PM

Possibly, I think the fact that they think of themselves as 'Artists' and 'Creators' that normal social rules or even the law of the land don't apply to them.

strandroad · 05-11-2017 01:57PM

markodaly wrote: »

Why is it that so many of these people are of the artistic, film making, theatre vibe? These would generally be tolerant progressive work settings.

It would be the same for surgeons and chefs. Legal profession would have stories to tell. Basically anywhere where there is hierarchy and gatekeepers, and you can "get a reputation".

AlekSmart · 05-11-2017 02:42PM

markodaly wrote: »

Why is it that so many of these people are of the artistic, film making, theatre vibe? These would generally be tolerant progressive work settings.

I wonder about this also.

Perhaps,as with the Hollywood revelations,we will be forced to recognize what lies behind the Artistic,Film Making,Theatrical vibe itself.

It's entire raison d'etre lies in it's main movers being allowed to craft an entire parallel universe of Human Nature,one which is perhaps nowhere near the reality of TRUE Human Nature.

Could it be,as unpalatable as it is,that basic Human Nature actually is more savage,earthy,and essentially based upon dominance,be that Sexual,Political,Physical or whatever ?

Hollywood has since it's inception allowed the World's peoples to view,and then attempt to inhabit this strange place,where the "Good Guys" always won out,and lived happily,ever after.

When one thinks of it,this latest series of incredible events,is now only possible due to further developments in communications,namely Social Media and Instant Messaging,all of which,for the moment,remain uncontrolled and therefore capable of enabling vast Social Movements of themselves.

What,one wonders,would the Romans have made of it all ?

FrancieBrady · 05-11-2017 02:46PM

Maybe it is because people in arts are not afraid of convention, and are not afraid to speak out and are therefore the first?

I have no doubt there will be more of this in every institution/profession in the land.

strandroad · 05-11-2017 02:55PM

FrancieBrady wrote: »

Maybe it is because people in arts are not afraid of convention, and are not afraid to speak out and are therefore the first?

I have no doubt there will be more of this in every institution/profession in the land.

We used to blindly accept that you can't get results without certain level of bullying. Some of these beliefs have been challenged and they disappeared, but others are firmly in place.

Teachers can't teach without corporal punishment.
Executives can't work if they don't keep women down in subservient roles.
Chefs can't cook without berating their staff and making them work 20h shifts.
Directors can't direct without "moulding" (breaking) their actors.

We are going through another stage of the dismantling process.

Wanderer2010 · 05-11-2017 02:56PM

humberklog wrote: »

Could you point me in the direction (or provide a link) to the legislation that clearly states bullying is illegal and has a penalty of imprisonment?

I didn't know it existed, I thought it was more a to do with taking Civil cases and/or unfair dismissal cases.

This is in no way defending Colgan. It's just that sometimes I see 'it's the law" but I've never heard of such a law.

*not talking about cyber-bullying but bullying in the work place.

Scroll to the duties of the employer. If bullying is occurring, and its pretty well defined, the company has breached their duty by not dealing with it. Every worker in Ireland is entitled to a bully and harassment free workplace. Yes, its up to you as an employee to invoke various grievance procedures etc but if employers are found to have breached the bullying law, heavy penalties follow and there are plenty of cases where people have won tribunal cases.

http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Workplace_Health/Bullying_at_Work/#Bullying-aHealthandSafetyissue

seamus · 05-11-2017 03:04PM

Deusexmachina wrote: »

‘The rule’. ALL men sexually harass, all the time? Go way outta that.

To be fair, she said absolutely nothing like that. You've conflated "constant harassment" with "all men harass". When she didn't say the latter or anything even implying it.

seamus · 05-11-2017 03:10PM

currants wrote: »

See I agree with your point for the more junior members of staff-the women he was allegedly harassing, hitting and humiliating ritually. But I cant understand how any member of the management team could justify (to themselves)keeping quiet, morally or legally.

It's a massive decision for senior people to speak out about this too. They have family & children to support. They have a huge circle of friends involved in the industry.

By speaking out, you put all of that at risk. You might be believed, you might achieve justice and make the world better.
Or you might be shunned, lose your livelihood and your friends and have to start a new career in your fifties while struggling to make mortgage payments. And all you've done by speaking out is ruined your life and given more power to the bullies.

It's really not a simple thing. What it requires is a more serious stance on whistleblowing. Perhaps a national authority that will take any complaint from anyone anonymously and investigate it. At least then people feel empowered to make a complaint where it doesn't really matter if the person who you complain to, believes you. If they don't believe you, you lose nothing.

_Dara_ · 05-11-2017 04:46PM

Can't believe that Colgan was also on the board of the Gate Theatre. That means he saw all the complaints made about him and got to be part of the discussions about the complaints. :eek:

I know someone who worked in that administrative office a few years back. I thought she liked the job so was surprised when she left abruptly. Making more sense now though...

goose2005 · 05-11-2017 05:49PM

markodaly wrote: »

Why is it that so many of these people are of the artistic, film making, theatre vibe? These would generally be tolerant progressive work settings.

An awful lot of people want to work in these areas and only a tiny number can. This gives a lot of power to the gatekeepers. And the "tolerant progressive" stuff is often just talk

andekwarhola · 05-11-2017 06:09PM

The woman's story about the ass slap in the auditorium goes beyond harassment, it's actually disturbing.

Deusexmachina · 05-11-2017 08:10PM

seamus wrote: »

To be fair, she said absolutely nothing like that. You've conflated "constant harassment" with "all men harass". When she didn't say the latter or anything even implying it.

Hold on, this is what she actually said:

I am a woman and barely a day goes by without misogyny and sexual harassment. Funnily enough I also have female friends and they all say the same. It's not the exception, it's the rule.

What does that mean then 'it's not the exception, it's the rule'?

If it's the rule, it means that men who do not practice misogny and sexual harassment are the exception.

And I think that is complete nonsense.

Sunflower 27 · 05-11-2017 08:17PM

He's kept very quiet, hasn't he? For someone who seems to love the boom of his own voice....

Sunflower 27 · 05-11-2017 08:17PM

Double post

Wanderer2010 · 05-11-2017 08:34PM

Sunflower 27 wrote: »

He's kept very quiet, hasn't he? For someone who seems to love the boom of his own voice....

He needs time to put an appropriate spin on it, and no doubt looking for dirt on the accusers, so he can spin the whole thing as a combination of him "regretting acting like a bit of a player in the 80s and 90s but the women were refused promotion for various reasons and that these accusations are just a witch hunt. I have the upmost respect for women blah blah etc etc".

Caranica · 05-11-2017 09:21PM

Deusexmachina wrote: »

Hold on, this is what she actually said:

I am a woman and barely a day goes by without misogyny and sexual harassment. Funnily enough I also have female friends and they all say the same. It's not the exception, it's the rule.

What does that mean then 'it's not the exception, it's the rule'?

If it's the rule, it means that men who do not practice misogny and sexual harassment are the exception.

And I think that is complete nonsense.

No, it means that in my professional and recreational activity circles it's rife. Not everywhere, not every man but so many that I interact with on a regular basis. But as someone has already pointed out, the women in the Gate were there because they were the handful who had the jobs wanted by so many. I'm in a similar position.

Deusexmachina · 05-11-2017 09:41PM

Caranica wrote: »

No, it means that in my professional and recreational activity circles it's rife. Not everywhere, not every man but so many that I interact with on a regular basis. But as someone has already pointed out, the women in the Gate were there because they were the handful who had the jobs wanted by so many. I'm in a similar position.

I am really sorry to hear that. It’s a horrible situation to be in. I was also bullied in work for some years and it lead to depression, stress and a severe drop in my confidence.
I work for myself now. I find it a relief not to be beholden to anyone - even if it means I can sometimes struggle financially. It’s worth it.
I hope you find your own way out in time. I hate bastards who exploit their power to make others fearful.
But do please believe me - there are great people out there - the majority of people are decent. (Male and female).
I don’t think misogyny or sexual harassment are the norm. To say that lets the real bastards off the hook.
I wish you well. Be strong. And feck the bullies!!!

Beechwoodspark · 05-11-2017 09:44PM

Around the time of his retirement from the gate I heard him on the pat kenny show with Michael gambon. Seemed an intelligent, charming, if slightly pompous man, but sure that's par for the course for the arts. He got on like a house on fire with kenny and it was clear Gambon was a good friend too.

Later that evening I happened to be in the company of someone who works in the theatre Industry and I mentioned I had heard Colgan and did this person have any opinion on him, as he came across very well on the radio earlier.

I was expecting a warm tribute to the man on the occasion of his retirement from the Gate.

Instead the person reacted almost in horror and outlined colgans reputation as a lecherous bully prone to wildly inappropriate behaviour. The anecdotes were similar to what has come out recently.

I couldn't believe it and internally thought that maybe this person had a grudge against such a well respected, well connected man!

Well, the truth is out now. And also, it seems his reputation was widely known to Many in Dublin and the theatre world.

expectationlost · 05-11-2017 11:16PM

_Dara_ wrote: »

Can't believe that Colgan was also on the board of the Gate Theatre. That means he saw all the complaints made about him and got to be part of the discussions about the complaints. :eek:

I know someone who worked in that administrative office a few years back. I thought she liked the job so was surprised when she left abruptly. Making more sense now though...

is the Gate Theatre director essentially Gate CEO?, thus not usual to be on the board

Gate theatre employees speak out about director Michael Colgan's behaviour

Comments