Working with children: proving W.C. Fields wrong

For theatremakers seeking authenticity on stage, casting children can be an obvious choice – as well as a major challenge.
[This is archived content and may not display in the originally intended format.]

Image: Matilda the Musical via rad1sh.wordpress.com

W.C. Fields’ famously caustic advice about not working with children or animals has little sway today, where the agency of children as ​performers is increasingly recognised. From small devised works, to major commercial productions such as Matilda the Musical, which last week announced the casting of the four young actresses – Molly Barwick, Sasha Rose, Georgia Taplin and Bella Thomas – who will share the lead role in the forthcoming Australian production, children are increasingly seen on our stages in both minor and major roles.

Unlock Padlock Icon

Unlock this content?

Access this content and more

Richard Watts OAM is ArtsHub's National Performing Arts Editor; he also presents the weekly program SmartArts on Three Triple R FM. Richard is a life member of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, a Melbourne Fringe Festival Living Legend, and was awarded the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards' Facilitator's Prize in 2020. In 2021 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Green Room Awards Association. Most recently, Richard received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in June 2024. Follow him on Twitter: @richardthewatts