The Stage

Former Royal Television Society chair to lead government’s review of child performance laws

Published Monday 14 December 2009 at 15:58 by Matthew Hemley

The government’s long-awaited review of laws governing children’s appearances in stage and television productions is to be carried out by former Royal Television Society chair Sarah Thane, it was announced today.

As revealed by The Stage in August, the review of the legislation - introduced in 1968 to ensure children can perform in productions without harm to their health - follows discussions between the government and interested parties, including children’s organisations and broadcasters.

These discussions highlighted that existing regulations are out of date and often misinterpreted, with representatives from stage schools and casting agencies complaining that children wanting a licence to work as professional performers have been at the mercy of a ‘postcode lottery’.

They argue that a child’s chances of entering the business have depended upon the local education authority area in which they live and the strictness with which that authority interprets legislation.

Children’s secretary Ed Balls said: “As a country, we want to continue celebrating the brilliant performances of children in stage shows such as Billy Elliot or programmes such as Britain’s Got Talent, and it is right that our talented children should continue aspiring to appear on those stages. But where many parents, educators and ministers become concerned is when programme makers seem determine to keep pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable, to provide shock value for viewers and push up ratings, rather than do anything positive or meaningful for our children, our culture or our country.”

Balls said the 1968 legislation created a “number of difficulties”, because it is interpreted differently in different places and is “hard to apply to contemporary broadcasting”.

He highlighted the fact reality TV had not been invented when the legislation was initially introduced.

Culture secretary Ben Bradshaw added that the media landscape had “changed dramatically” since the laws were passed and said: “Encouraging children to take part in performance activities is important, not only because it develops their confidence and independence, but it also allows children to pursue their talents and ambitions, and it’s essential that these opportunities can continue.”

Thane’s review will explore “what a modern, effective and proportionate set of arrangements for the regulation of child performance might look like”.

The results of the review will be delivered in February next year.