Height

[Kittyishungry83]

Hello all,

DS is 11 next month and almost 5'2"...
Does that knock him out of all MUSICAL theatre opportunities? For all roles?? Even Bruce And A.Gloop? I have seen Bruce's and A.gloops who are certainly taller than that?
Thanks!

[Flosmom]

This is not my specialist subject - my DD grew too tall too young for West End roles - but what I have picked up along the way is that the casting directors are very strict about heights at auditions but accept that growth spurts can occur between casting and end of run.

So maybe the taller-looking kids just shot up in between? After all, the rehearsal period can be extensive and I think the runs are at least 6 months.

Others on here know more so I'm sure you'll get the advice you need.

Good luck!

Deb x

[eleanorrigby66]

Hmm, yes the height restrictions are there to allow for growth spurts during rehearsals. I don't think they accept Matilda roles over 5"0, because they know a few will grow probably to 5"2... but they can't take on a 5"2 Bruce and have him grow to the same size as Miss Honey.

It's such a shame, I have a similar problem with DD. She's so desperate to audition for Matilda and at 8, this upcoming audition will be the first where she's able to attend... but she's already inching over that all-important height limit. So she's unlikely to even get through the door for a first audition when the time comes. She's hoping that she simply stops growing so that by the time she's 10/11 she can go for ensemble roles.

At 5"2 though I think the West End is out But there will be plenty of local productions that aren't so strict on height and are just as rewarding, I'm sure.

[Dogcop]

DS was 4'11 when he started as Bruce and 5'2 when he finished so obviously looked quite tall on the stage at the end of the run.

[Flosmom]

DS was 4'11 when he started as Bruce and 5'2 when he finished so obviously looked quite tall on the stage at the end of the run.

Thanks - I'm glad I got that bit right...but it makes sense anyway, doesn't it? Kids have a habit of growing!

Deb x

[CatKat_0]

I wouldn't bother sending my child if they were too tall, especially for West End - they do measure them and discount if they are too tall or too small.
It might also jeopardise them for other roles too - I'd recommend being totally honest with agents and with your kids. It's such a shame, an dI know a lot of really talented kids on this site that have missed out - however, we shouldn't make them worry about growing - or they'll end up with a complex.

[TomS]

..........

[Hecouldshine]

It's heart breaking, isn't it. We went to one Billy audition with ds, when he was 8 and he was already a good 3 inches taller than all the boys who got recalls. We never tried again - it just didn't seem fair though that his talent didn't matter one bit because he was already too tall

[CatKat_0]

Being too small is now also an issue - I know of a couple of fantastically talented girls who were too small for the part - hopefeully they will grow and have another go.....just not too much or they may miss out.

I guess the directors know what they want and don't want to waste time if some of the children (no matter how talented they are) don't fit the spec.

[Dwafffamily]

Sadly this is just the way it is in theatre, nothing any one of us can do and we've always known it to be this way. Height will always play a big part of it, same as when a boys voice breaks it's game over

Hopefully there are still other doors open within tv and film and more local theatre productions.

[pg]

I think this is still a fantastically friendly and supportive website. It's a heck of a lot more gentle than any other discussion forum I have ever been on.

I am frequently surprised by what seems to cause offence.

Differences of opinion are inevitable. Debate is healthy. We are allowed to disagree with one another.

Feel free to disagree with my statements!

[Kittyishungry83]

Thank You for all of your replies. I really appreciate the time taken to reply. My question wasn't stemming from bitterness - just ignorance really... I have the utmost respect for these productions and the way they are put together..having said that - in real life a group of children comes in all shapes, sizes and heights so it is still a bit baffling...maybe CDs equate tall boys with early broken voices?

[riverdancefan]

This is the thing kittyishungry
I agree with you totally,
A group of children are not clones they are all different shapes sizes and colourings
But the theatre doesn't seem to want "real life "- it has an agenda for what ever reason - we never bother looking and haven't for a few years now ..

[eleanorrigby66]

Thank You for all of your replies. I really appreciate the time taken to reply. My question wasn't stemming from bitterness - just ignorance really... I have the utmost respect for these productions and the way they are put together..having said that - in real life a group of children comes in all shapes, sizes and heights so it is still a bit baffling...maybe CDs equate tall boys with early broken voices?

True, though of course they often cast children who are older than their playing age. Matilda and her classmates for example are supposed to be six years old, so if they were nearing the height of any of the adults it would look most odd. Stage is a visual medium - I loved Sound of Music at Regents Park because even Louisa, Fredrik and Leisel seemed child-like, which was refreshing, and I think that was simply down to them being small!

Most unfair on our children who would love to play these roles but are tall for their age, but such is life I suppose.

[jollyjelly]

Just measured DS, as Billy auditions coming up next month....... 4 foot 11!

STOP GROWING!!!! Georges Marvelous Medicine (Actually, now that would be a great story for MT)

JJ x