Should under 18s be paid for panto?

[doris]

That's great news, HCS, very well done to your dd

I can't speak from experience, but I would think that doing something like a panto will be great on your dd's CV and also you might find the driving time good for you both - a bit of mother-daughter time, and a break from the usual routine for you? if not, then you can always stock up on stories on CD!

Hope you both enjoy the whole experience!

[*Cazzy-Lou*]

Huge well done to H, HCS I hope she has a fab time

[GEORGIEROSE]

Have a lovely time all doing panto,dd has done panto or christmas run of some sort for ten years,last year joined adult company and loved rehearsing in London with them,this year her college have not permitted the time off her course,as they are touring primary schools with their own mini panto,so can understand why they said no-she had the greatest of memories in pantos hope all your children gain as much from it

[Hecouldshine]

Thanks very much doris, Caz and GR. Good Thinking doris. I need to make the most of it, she's going to be a very strong minded teenager

[pollypickles]

My 3 younger DDs have been in panto for the past 4 years in a professional production and have never been paid. They get free tickets and a programme and that's it. We pay for them to have a promotional t- shirt too. Having said all that they love it and Christmas just wouldn't be the same now. I have even got involved now and will be appearing in my 2nd production this year.!! I love it too!!

[Hecouldshine]

My 3 younger DDs have been in panto for the past 4 years in a professional production and have never been paid. They get free tickets and a programme and that's it. We pay for them to have a promotional t- shirt too. Having said all that they love it and Christmas just wouldn't be the same now. I have even got involved now and will be appearing in my 2nd production this year.!! I love it too!!

Hope you have a great time in the panto pollypickles My dd wouldn't let me anywhere near a stage if she was around

I can report that we too get free tickets - I'm actually really impressed with the organisation; the vouchers arrived this week with the team schedules - so I've booked our tickets already, including a large 3 generation family outing on Boxing Day

Anyone in Cumbria over Christmas; come see Sleeping Beauty at the Sands Centre, Carlisle, with Craig Chalmers (from Joseph)

[GEORGIEROSE]

Have great fun with pantos all of you,dd may be doing it now if can fit rehearsals round college schedule.

[islandofsodor]

It depends on how long the run is how many per week they are allowed to do.

[Hecouldshine]

It depends on how long the run is how many per week they are allowed to do.

Thanks islandofsodor. We were relieved when the schedule arrived- 2 teams doing 2 performances a day alternate days, 15 in total - very managable

[Trish2410]

Of course under 18's should be paid for a professional panto. But they don't have to pay as they know children will work for nothing except the experience they gain. This needs to change and if there was a union for children it would. My DS played Michael in Peter Pan and loved every minute of it but the theatre and the company benefitted from having free Michaels, Johns, Lost Boys and girls as part of the dance company. Need to do a grrrrr now

[Nutcracker]

Both of mine have worked for Spillers - my daughter as a dancer for 3 years and was paid £50 for the run and then played Michael and was played £100 for the run (6 weeks in total plus rehearsal time)

They were given lots of treats throughout and although it wasn't a lot of money the experience was invaluable and most importantly had a fantastic time.

Hope that helps