Young performers licensing guide

Performance licences: restrictions and permissions 

Part 6 of the 2014 Regulations sets out the additional restrictions and conditions that apply to performance licences specifically. 

Maximum number of performing or rehearsal days in a week 

A child must not perform or rehearse on more than 6 consecutive days. Licensing authorities should treat 6 days as an absolute maximum and consider the child's individual needs when setting conditions, including: 

• the nature of the production (broadcast or stage) 

• how long the child will be at the performance venue each day 

Breaks between performances 

If a child performs on 6 consecutive days for 8 consecutive weeks, they must have a break of at least 14 days from their last performance, with no further performances or other employment during that time. This rule does not apply if the licence permits fewer than 60 performance days. 

Night work 

A child may perform after the latest permitted hour only where this is necessary, for example for a curtain call. Performing after midnight is only permitted where it is not practicable to finish earlier. 

Regulation 28 sets out a number of restrictions and conditions to safeguard any child required to work after the latest permitted hour: 

• any time worked after the latest permitted hour counts towards the child's daily maximum performance hours 

• the child must have a minimum 16-hour rest period before their next performance 

• if a child performs late on two consecutive days, they must not perform late again for at least 7 days 

• any extension to permitted hours must be based solely on the child's wellbeing and must not become routine 

Chaperone discretion 

In genuinely unexpected circumstances outside the licence holder's control, a chaperone may allow a child to perform for up to 30 minutes beyond the latest permitted hour.

This is permitted only if: 

• the total time at the performance, including the extra 30 minutes, does not exceed the child's daily maximum permitted hours 

• the chaperone is satisfied the additional time will not harm the child's wellbeing 

• the circumstances are genuinely outside the licence holder's control 

If this discretion is used, the chaperone must make sure the licence holder informs the licencing authority by the following day, by email, explaining the reasons. The licencing authority will intervene if they consider the discretion is being misused or applied too frequently, or where child welfare concerns arise. 

For outdoor performances and rehearsals, chaperones may shorten one of the child's prescribed meal breaks to allow for flexibility, provided the break is still at least 30 minutes long and the child does not exceed their maximum permitted working hours.