Child Exploitation In Pantomimes Alleged By Actors

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22889, 8 March 1949, Page 5

Child Exploitation In Pantomimes Alleged By Actors

(10 a.m.) LONDON. Mar. 7. The report of the Actors’ Equity on the employment of children in pantomime, which was presented today to the Home Office, states that of the 1206 pantomime children 85 were doing 18 shows weekly. Some of the children had an underground dressing room with no windows and next to quarters occupied by performing sheep. The Equity recommends that no children under 13 be employed, that none should be employed in troupes and that there should be a central licensing authority. - “The probable reason for the engagement of so many children is manifest when their salaries are considered,” says the report. “A total of 451 children were living in ‘digs.’ They received, in addition to accommodation, anything between 5s and 20s in cash — most frequently 10s. “The 755 children living at home were cheaper still when the costs of the ‘digs’ is considered. Their salaries varied from nothing at all in two shows to £4 10s, but most frequently 20s to 255.”