Should Normal Sized Actors Be Allowed To Play Dwarfs?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3956232/Panto-dwarfs-axed-Snow-White-taller-actors-charge-playing-roles-knees.html

[hereIam]

No, I think it's a shame that the work is being taken away from the original actors.

[hc4361]

But why should the dwarf actor be paid more?

[Old_Geezer]

You'll be asking next if "white" skinned actors should be barred from playing Othello. That stated I'm unsure why one would miscast a taller individual into a shorter character role, it's not like they can really lose height for the role.

[Old_Geezer]

They're in short supply.

[andy-hughes]

No, I think it is wrong to discriminate, and this is effectively what is happening here.

Dwarves are, by definition, specialist actors who perform a specific role, and are paid commensurate with that speciality.

To use standard actors not only takes work away from actors who already have limitations in the roles they can play, without taking away roles that are specific to them.

[hereIam]

Agree andy.

[Mamyalynne]

I can understand the smaller cash strapped production companies having to consider cost cutting, but on the whole Dwarves should play the roles.

[anotheoldgit]

Old_Geezer

/// You'll be asking next if "white" skinned actors should be barred from playing Othello. ///

I wondered if someone would come up with that.

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/can-it-be-wrong-to-black-up-for-othello-1244185.html

Let's hope we never see theatres being reluctant to stage Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

[Old_Geezer]

Surely banning someone from a role would be discrimination; not allowing all to audition.

[CrapAtCryptics]

If we can have a female Hamlet, or a black hermione Grainger why not tall dwarves

[hereIam]

lol at divebuddy !

[mikey4444]

OG....lol at 16:17 !

[trt]

It would look a bit odd if a Dwarf played Gulliver, in Travels?

[mikey4444]

Dwarves for Xmas Panto must be one of the few jobs that a short actor can do without looking ridiculous. Why begrudge them a few weeks a year !

Seems churlish to me !

[Prudie]

seconded - LOL at divebuddy

[naomi24]

Of course they should - and they should have their own beards. None of this nonsense about dressing up or play acting. That would be considered cultural appropriation. Can't have that!!

[EDDIE51]

On the news a year or so ago there was a genuine item that there were too few dwarfs for all the Pantomimes that needed them. Some companies were forced to change from Snow White to another story due to the shortage of dwarfs!

[Mamyalynne]

Who's playing Long John Silver in 'Treasure Island' this year?

I'd like to send him a get well card after his op.