Fury over ‘stealing our work’
PANTOS AXE DWARFS FOR KID ACTORS
ANGRY dwarfs have blasted pantomime bosses for axeing them in favour of cheap child actors.
Theatres have been accused of ditching tradition to save up to £7,000 a week on shows such as Snow White.
GRUMPY dwarfs claim they are being axed from Christmas pantomimes to be replaced by cheaper child actors.
Theatres have been accused of “destroying the magic” by making the switch to save up to £7,000 a week on a production of Snow White.
While dwarfs can earn up to £1,200 a week, actors’ union Equity recommends that youngsters earn half the wages of adult stars – about £236 for seven days. Steve Redford, who runs the Minimen agency, reckons the paying public are being short-changed.
He said: “I think it takes the magic out of the production. When you speak to audiences afterwards they say it is better when dwarfs are in Snow White And The
Seven Dwarfs. The clue is in the name.
“It’s a money-saving option for the theatres.
Some are always going to opt for the cheaper option.’’
Great British Pantomime
Awards judge Hayden
Parker added: “Very few productions use dwarf actors nowadays.
“I’ve sat through productions where they use children wearing dwarf masks, which is horrendous. It boils down the fact that in this cost-cutting day and age dwarfs are expensive.”
Dean Whatton, who appeared as a dwarf in Snow White at the Bristol Hippodrome, said: “I’ve been acting for about 17 years and to see someone else portray a dwarf role really takes away our opportunities in life for being an actor.
“If you took your children to see Snow White and they saw seven men of average height playing dwarfs kids would be confused.
“It destroys the magic.’’ The Star Says: Page 8