And they're being paid the same amount as me." Riding a wave of unionization "Many of the stablehands I work with have a lifetime of experience with horses, and they're doing advanced riding in terms of dressage in the show. This is far from an entry-level animal care job," he said. "I've worked animal jobs that are entry level. Those salaries, he says, don't account for the amount of expertise that's required to do the work, especially for those working with animals. Thompson says Medieval Times performers in Lyndhurst usually start at minimum wage, and don't go much higher. 'She is not beholden to anyone': Meet the 1st queen of Medieval Times.The theatres are designed to look like 11th-century castles, and the performers dress in elaborate costumes and play the roles of knights, kings and queens.Ĭustomers eat a facsimile of medieval-style food, sport paper crowns and guzzle beverages from goblets as they watch a live performance of horseback-riding, jousting, sword-fighting and falconry. Medieval Times is a Middle Ages-themed dinner theatre company based in Irving, Texas, with nine locations across the U.S. Spooked horses and 'overserved customers' Neither AGVA nor Medieval Times responded to requests for comment from CBC. Thompson and his fellow animal handlers and performers will vote on July 15 on whether to join the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA), a union that represents performers at theatres and theme parks, including Disneyland. We're all very passionate about it," Thompson told As It Happens guest host Ginella Massa. "But just with working with live animals alone, that adds its own dangers into the mix. ![]() That's why he and his colleagues are working to form the dinner theatre's first union at its location in Lyndhurst, N.J. But he'd enjoy it a lot more if the job came with higher wages and better safety protocols. Purnell Thompson enjoys working at Medieval Times.
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