These are the laws governing the use of children in theatre and must be complied with.

The Children and Young Persons Act 1963 and the Child Performance Regulations 1968 lay down basic rules designed to protect the health, welfare and safety of children in performance and require the local education authority to exercise it’s own powers to grant a licence to allow a child to perform in a theatrical event providing the criteria laid down in the act is complied with. This criteria outlines the conditions, restrictions, number of performances, rest, meals, school absences, and chaperones that must be complied with.

It is worth noting that any person or parent who allows any child to take part in a performance which contravenes the licensing system or fails to observe the conditions of the licence or make false statements to procure a licence or fails to keep accurate records as required by the licence is liable to a fine and/or imprisonment.

ALL CHILDREN UNDER 16 NEED A LICENCE TO PERFORM

EXCEPT - where no payment is made excluding expenses and EITHER on the six months proceeding the performance the child has not taken part in any other performances on more than three days OR the performance is part of a school production

NOTE - if a child takes time off school as a result of the performance the parents are in breech of the regulations

IF A CHILD IS OVER 13 AND A LICENCE IS NEEDED

• you must satisfy all the criteria of the regulations

IF A CHILD IS UNDER 13 AND A LICENCE IS NEEDED

• no licence for acting will be granted unless you declare that the part can only be played by a child of your age or
• no licence for dancing will be granted unless it is in a ballet/opera and you declare that the part can only be played by a child of your age
• no licence for performing will be granted unless you declare that the part can only be played by a child of your age or your part is wholly musical and in a musical, opera or ballet

THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS ON CHILDREN 14 AND OVER BEING LICENCED FOR CHORUS WORK

THE CRITERIA FOR GRANTING A LICENCE

• the child undergoes a medical examination at the discretion of the LA (you may have to pay for this)
• the child’s welfare must be in the care of a parent, teacher, matron, chaperone. the maximum children in care of one person must not be more than 12
• the child takes no time off school
• the place of performance is approved by the licensing authority
• the child is living at home
• A CHILD 13 AND OVER (licenced or unlicenced) can take part in performances on not more than 80 days in 12 months and not perform more than 80 times in 12 months.
• A CHILD UNDER 13 (licenced or unlicensed) can take part in performances on not more than 40 days in 12 months and not perform more than 40 times in 12 months. (rehearsals do not count but the LA will take them into consideration)

THE REGULATIONS GOVERNING PERFORMANCES

• a child may not take part in rehearsals and performances on more than 6 days in 7.
• the performance must not last more than 3 ½ hours or the part more than 2 ½ hours
• on school days only one performance is allowed
• you cannot take part in more than 2 performances / rehearsals in a day
• you must leave the theatre 30 mins after the performance
• if you are 13 and over you must leave rehearsals by 10.30pm
• if you are 13 and under you must leave rehearsals by 10pm
• if the show requires it you may stay until 11pm at the latest
• you may not start rehearsing or performing before 10am in the morning
• if you have performed the previous night 14 hours must elapse before the next rehearsal or performance. (You are required to attend school even if 14 hours have not elapsed)

APPLICATION FOR A LICENCE

• the application must be made by the theatre company
• applications must be submitted 21 days before the performance
• part 1 is completed by COMPANY, part 2 by the parent
• you will need proof of age, 2 photographs, a rehearsal schedule, and if the child is under 14 and the part is not mainly musical, a declaration that the part can only be done by a child of your age.

CHILDREN'S LEGAL CENTRE HELP LINE 01206 873820

OUR QUESTIONNAIRE

Q1 Are you over 16?

• Yes: you don’t need a licence.
• No: go to Q2

Q2 Have you taken part in a show in the last six months?

• No: you don’t need a licence.
• Yes: You need a licence. Go to Q3

Q3 Are you over 13?

• Yes: go to Q4
• No: go to Q5

Q4 Have you been in 80 performances in the last 12 months?

• No: go to Q6
• Yes: It is unlikely you will get a licence.

Q5 Have you been in 40 performances in the last 12 months?

• No: go to Q6
• Yes: It is unlikely you will get a licence.

Q6 To get your licence you need to photocopy your birth certificate and get two passport photos and send them to me by xxxx. If you don’t you will not get a licence to perform in the show.