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Is it legal for our children to perform/ work for no pay?

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95

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 February 2011 - 15:56

My daughters performed in a few of these type of shows in Dubai, one with the company in question and they both performed in the Christmas Panto (which doesn't charge anything). Before auditioning I was told by several people that the girls wouldn't receive any kind of payment for anything they performed at in Dubai because it's not legal to pay children for work in Dubai (as I've already said). It's against the Child Labour Laws of the country to "employ" children. It's then up to the parents to decide what they are willing to pay out - if you don't want to do it, don't pay. I paid the money for one production over summer. I would have actually paid that much for my daughter to go to summer camps. They were at DUCTAC from early in the morning until late evening for a couple of weeks before the show started. They had dance workshops, got to record tracks in a recording studio for the show - made friends with scores of other kids and had a grand old time.

3901

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 08 February 2011 - 15:09

Nobody is forced to pay the money and presumably they know what costs are involved before they start so where's the harm ? If it's the only way these talented kids can get such an experience then i think it can be a fabulous opportunity. And if someone has been astute enough to see a business opportunity then good luck to them !!

53

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 February 2011 - 14:00

I owned a large Performing Arts school for children in the UK....400 children a week came through our doors. And also Childrens Casting Agency for Tv, Theatre and Film. Charliegirl, you are absolutely spot on. tally-ho. Stagecoach was massively expensive and their turnover of teachers (often young girls and boys with no experience of teaching or professional training) is legendary! Now that is a business that is out to make money first ! Shows have so many hidden costs you wouldn't believe. Yes, there is money to be made obviously, and jobs provided for talented teachers/performers. As far as being paid for professional work.....the average for TV/Film extra work was £25 a day for children under 16, £45 for 16 to 18 years old. Theatre was often unpaid and two tickets for the parent. Yes, good roles got paid for but very, very few children achieve that level of work. I personally think this is a great opportunity for children who want to immerse themselves in the performing arts. Everything costs, and you often get what you pay for.

648

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 08 February 2011 - 13:20

Like Radical3 my DD has participated in several of these shows. In the UK they charge you to go to a summer or easter workshop, to be put on stage for ONE final performance. This company gives children the opportunity to perform a real show (after paying almost 40% in taxes, municipality fees, registrations - oh the list goes on), and they haven't even hired the rehearsals rooms, teachers or theatre yet. Do you know how much these things are to hire? Now they perform for 10 or 12 sometimes 14 live performances - and these kids are talented. How many children get that type of opportunity. The 2000dhs fee is to provide the teachers and musical director to teach these children the routines and learn the performance so that YOU can sit and enjoy a PROFESSIONAL show. Now, I don't get cranky at much, but this type of chat upsets me, because it is not about them making money, but providing an amazing opportunity for children. If you dont have the money, then don't parcticipate. Now Marchbride I think you are unaware of the careers of the directors, and their absolute talent and what they pass onto the children. I think that if you want to get involved, go backstage and watch how these kids are treated, and how they are trained, then if you are not happy, say something. I for 1, best 8,000dhs of education I have spent on my talented daughter who has performed more in 3 years here in such an amazing opportunity then she could have ever done back home. Sounds like exploitation to me. In the UK children join clubs like Stagecoach they pay a small amount weekly/monthly for teaching of the same (if not better) standard, the talented children are then selected by theatre s to perform in their shows for which they are paid, BIG difference.

13

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 February 2011 - 13:04

You are obviously in the business so I'll let you have the last word. Thanks for the backstage invite -I would love that-just let me know where and when.

Charliegirlindu...

11

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 February 2011 - 11:31

Like Radical3 my DD has participated in several of these shows. In the UK they charge you to go to a summer or easter workshop, to be put on stage for ONE final performance. This company gives children the opportunity to perform a real show (after paying almost 40% in taxes, municipality fees, registrations - oh the list goes on), and they haven't even hired the rehearsals rooms, teachers or theatre yet. Do you know how much these things are to hire? Now they perform for 10 or 12 sometimes 14 live performances - and these kids are talented. How many children get that type of opportunity. The 2000dhs fee is to provide the teachers and musical director to teach these children the routines and learn the performance so that YOU can sit and enjoy a PROFESSIONAL show. Now, I don't get cranky at much, but this type of chat upsets me, because it is not about them making money, but providing an amazing opportunity for children. If you dont have the money, then don't parcticipate. Now Marchbride I think you are unaware of the careers of the directors, and their absolute talent and what they pass onto the children. I think that if you want to get involved, go backstage and watch how these kids are treated, and how they are trained, then if you are not happy, say something. I for 1, best 8,000dhs of education I have spent on my talented daughter who has performed more in 3 years here in such an amazing opportunity then she could have ever done back home.

624

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 18:16

Wow, their business model is very successful! The thing is that without these children, they wouldn't have a show at all, so it seems amazing that they get away with charging people to be in it! The costume cost - well fair enough - but the other costs seem really high to me. I'm certain that the children do get a lot out of it but it doesn't seem particularly ethical for a company to charge families in this way. However, they are only able to do it because people are willing to pay that sort of sum of money, so why on earth wouldn't they charge, as they are running a business!

5400

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 17:34

Dorter did weekly Musical Theatre classes in English, in Switzerland, with these people: http://www.simplytheatre.com/academy/academy-home.html Their shows were audition only, apart from the end of the year "show-case" (where parents had to pay to get in) and if they got a part in a show, the parents had to pay quite large sums for their children to participate in all the rehearsals (I suppose they counted as extra classes) and also for the tickets to the show.

23

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 17:10

But it is a business - and as you say ker ching! so a successful one at that. <em>edited by Maxy on 07/02/2011</em>

13

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 13:15

It seems to be the norm that children don't get paid. My little sister does ballet, had 5 performances in a big theatre and my mum had to pay for the ballet lessons, the costum, invest an awful lot of time driving her back and forth to rehersals as well as the actual performances and in addition had to pay for the theatre tickets to watch her on stage and this was back in Europe. It's not that they aren't getting paid -it's that they are PAYING! So, you pay to reherse the show, be in the show and buy your own costume,and provide your own lunch -and then people pay to come and see it. Ker-ching!

Sticky Wicket36659

1511

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 11:25

The sad thing is that without these productions coming to town many children would never have this opportunity as school drama with producations is practically non-existent here. If you want to give your children opportunities to explore new things you have to pay for them in Dubai.

104

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 11:19

As a Mom who's DD has participated in 3 of the productions put on by West End Production company, I can give you my opinion of our experience. The children in the play are not "employed", they are taking part in a production - they are amateur actors who enjoy being on the stage and you can see that in their faces. The cost of 2,000dhs plus costume is small when you consider the experience these kids are getting out of it. Call it acting lessons, dancing lessons, singing lessons - you can easily lump all those learnings into the cost of "tuition". Plus they are getting experience on the stage. My DD has renewed her love of dance and is actively working towards her grade 4 ballet exam and taking this love as far as she can - studying dance in university. She is confident and comfortable speaking and performing in front of other people which will help her later in life. My DD thinks this is a great opportunity for her and yes auditioning is heartbreaking, but if you don't put yourself out there, you'll never know what your potential is and that at the end of the day is what life is all about.

53

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 11:15

How do you expect the company to make money, buy the rights to perform shows, pay for music, scripts, pay for theatre hire, lighting, sound, teachers, rehearsal space etc if the company doesn't charge? It's called business! <em>edited by LizziGrace on 07/02/2011</em>

60

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 10:58

I used to have dance lessons as a child - the dance school had an annual show at a theatre which went on for a few nights and tickets were sold, the money went to the dance school I presume. We also had to pay for or help with making our own costumes. Is this not the same thing? I never saw anything wrong with this.

ninkypinky34352

27

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 09:14

I don't think it is legal in this case, I think is something designed to fuel the expat's Dubai Dream that their Lottie and Johnnie will be in an westend musical. The fact that they charge for tickets and don't pay the children a penny must be illegal. I had a look at their website and it looks really cheap. @ Cleopatra - I did Ballet as a child for 13 years, and when we had our perfomances we had to pay but in that case it is different, the charge for the tickets is usually nomial and cover the costs of putting together the show. The school never made money from it, and that was a especial occasion to showcase what we learned and our progress. Also we didn't have to take part and parents would sit together to approve the costs. Westend stage Experience opens auditions for the show, advertises everywhre and they charge a lot for the tickets. I don't know the rules and laws regarding this, but I'm sure someone that knows about getting kids to work on shows like that would say it is not right. From the monent they mention money I wouldn't aggree to let my children take part in the "experience" if if broke their hearts.

95

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 07:51

It's actually not legal to "employ" children in Dubai. So all shows they're in are unpaid.

447

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 07:45

It seems to be the norm that children don't get paid. My little sister does ballet, had 5 performances in a big theatre and my mum had to pay for the ballet lessons, the costum, invest an awful lot of time driving her back and forth to rehersals as well as the actual performances and in addition had to pay for the theatre tickets to watch her on stage and this was back in Europe.

23

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 06 February 2011 - 20:32

My friend went and said there were hundreds of kids trying to get in - lots of tears for those who didn't get it. I guess they would do it in the Uk etc but obviously equity would not allow otherwise all actors would be out of work and basically paying for the priviledge of doing their job (which probably people would do if they got the chance). Here there are no such laws so companys can get the pick of the crop AND make them pay for it.

13

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 06 February 2011 - 19:55

I've just had a look at the website and none ft them have had any kind of career in the West End! Dubai parents need to wake - up a bit!

tipahtertipu30118

112

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 06 February 2011 - 19:53

Dubai parents have loads of spare dosh apparently! (those who paid of course!)

13

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 06 February 2011 - 19:51

One more thing -I should think the 'workshops' will be more like 'rehersals'! Why don't I have these OBVIOUS money-spinning ideas!!!

3804

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 06 February 2011 - 19:50

They've done it for several years running now. Annie was another show they did.

2043

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 06 February 2011 - 19:50

The parents had to pay around AED 2000 for their kids to perform in Fame too, this was at the Madinat in the summer of 2010.

13

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 06 February 2011 - 19:49

That's OUTrageous, would never happen in UK. There they would have to be licensed by the local education authority, even if they were not missing school, also they have to be chaperoned by licensed chaperones or a parent. UNLESS,this is a charity event and money is raised for reason. I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

tipahtertipu30118

112

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 06 February 2011 - 19:48

i recall even with the High School Musical play here , the kids pay their own way for costumes and all. but i m not sure if they get paid. i supposed this in one way for the seriously keen kids would do to get in to say they did theatre for reference in future?

3804

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 06 February 2011 - 19:46

From what I gather, the children audition, then thoes that get selected to be in the production have to pay for the pleasure. The company says the charges are for workshops working and training with the professional actors. I personally disagree with the whole thing. If you're talented enough to be picked, you shuldn't have to pay for the pleasure. It amuses me also that they calls themselves the best stage company in the west end - erm I think RADA might have something to say about that!

2958

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 06 February 2011 - 19:45

Sounds very dodgy to me.....someone somewhere is making money out of that.....

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