Theatre lifts block on child actors after new law is axed

The Loft theatre company anounced it would not stage any play involving children in 2009 after the then government proposed laws that would have meant almost anyone working alongside young actors would have to face Criminal Records Bureau checks.

The theatre - which challenged the change through the Little Theatre Guild - has reviewed its policy after the coalition pledged to scale back requirements to ‘common sense’ levels.

In common with professional productions in which children share roles, the Loft has eight children playing four parts in its next production The Miracle Worker, with sisters Alisha and Indianna Long playing deaf, blind and mute child Helen Keller.

Director Mary MacDonald said: “It’s a great joy to be able to work with children again and without our change of policy it would not have been possible to present such a powerful play as The Miracle Worker.”

The play tells the story of the childhood of Alabama-born Keller, a writer and campaigner who lost her sight and hearing when she was 19 months old.

At first indulged by her family, she became almost wild until her family brought in young governess Anne Sullivan, herself visually impaired, after reading an account in Charles Dickens’ American Notes of how a deaf and blind woman had been educated.

Based on Keller’s own autobiography, it includes the sometimes violent struggles between the girl and her governess.

Alisha said: “The fight scene is exciting. When you are acting it, it is not scary but for Helen it would have been very scary.”

Indianna added: “It is a lovely story, which is sad in places but has a happy ending and it’s really good fun to do.”

Loft Theatre chairman Michael Rayns appeared on the BBC’s Panorama alongside the guild’s president Sir Ian McKellan to plead for the proposed laws to be changed.

Mr Rayns said the guild was still campaigning for an exemption similar to those used by schools, but added: “As yet they have not done it but we have stopped them from increasing the number of CRB checks required, so we succeeded to that extent.”

The Miracle Worker runs from January 25 to February 4. Call 0844 493 4938 for tickets.