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Pantos in past as dwarfs do parties

CASH-strapped little people are being forced to perform at children’s parties after being axed from pantomimes.

Dwarfs are using their acting skills at youngsters’ birthdays because theatres are ditching them in favour of cheap child performers.

Hayley B, who runs an entertainment agency for little people in Barnsley, South Yorks, revealed: “We are getting a lot of requests for children’s parties. This time of year is about those now. They will be asked to dress up, entertain the kids, play games with them – these are highly-trained actors.”

Many dwarfs are looking for new jobs after seeing their panto work dry up.

The Daily Star revealed yesterday that Christmas productions are hiring kids over little people because they are cheaper.

Angry dwarf actors blasted panto bosses for cutting them out to save cash.

Theatres have been accused of ditching the tradition of casting little people in a bid to save up to £7,000 on each of their wages.

While they can earn up to

£1,200 a week, actors’ union Equity recommends that child actors earn half the wages of adult stars – about

£236 for seven days.

Last week the Daily Star LITTLE BOTHER: Our story exposed the fury over a 6ft 2in actor shuffling around on his knees to play the role of baddie Lord Farquaad in Shrek The Musical’s UK stage tour.

Producers have promised to look for a “short stature” performer to fill the part after its current run.