Description
Oliver is seeking a house parent/tutor for its continuing run in the West End at The Gielgud Theatre. The house parent/tutor will be responsible for the child performers in Oliver who will be living away from home whilst in London. They will provide for, safeguard, and secure the safety, health, education and wellbeing of the children throughout the run in London.
Key Responsibilities
PERSON SPECIFICATION
* Registration with the relevant professional bodies (Chaperone licence and relevant DBS checks)
* Suitable experience as a house parent/touring chaperone, theatre chaperone or discharging proper care of a child
* A strong team player, capable of independent thinking
* Conscientious, discreet, enthusiastic, reliable and personable individual
* An enjoyment of working with children and supporting them in a theatrical environment
* Ability to ensure confidentiality
* Ability to remain calm under pressure in a busy work environment
MAIN DUTIES
* Perform all those duties customarily performed for a first-class theatre production by a house parent/tutor
in consultation with the Producer in respect of the production.
* Tutor the children, to continue their schooling whilst in London with the production. In this case you would be responsible for liaising with schools and parents to discuss the curriculum, focus areas and educational needs.
* Along with the Producer and the Children's Administrator, ensure that the accommodation is suitable and of a high standard for the children.
* Be aware of the risks which may affect the children in your care and be satisfied that they have been identified and that effective control measures are in place.
* Engage with the children and provide games and activities, along with suitable screen time, and time given
to homework when not performing.
* Transport the children from home to their place of work as necessary by means that you are comfortable with, and that ensure the safety of yourself and the children at all times.
* Maintain the home to a high standard, this includes the washing of bed linens, cooking, cleaning and regular
grocery shopping. Meals should be well balanced and nutritional.
* Report any issues with the house or appliances to the Producer.
* Ensure you are familiar with any medical issues that a child in your care may have.
* Provide accurate petty cash returns and get approval on any expenditure over an amount agreed with the
Producer.
* Liaise as necessary with parents regarding pickups, drop-offs and destinations, keeping the Children's Administrator informed should any issues with this develop.
* Liaise with the Producer and Children's Administrator regarding any concerns about illness, injury or behaviour
that may prevent a child in your care taking part in a rehearsal, performance or event.
* Understand, promote, and uphold the Producer's Child Protection Policy and Child Protection Behaviour code
and related procedures and guidelines. Chaperones are expected to refrain from smoking in the presence
of a child whether on duty or not. All staff should remain alcohol free during working hours and
take personal responsibility for presenting themselves in a fit state for work.
* Attend rehearsals and performances as scheduled.
* Learn and cover, as required, the onstage chaperone plots (wing plots).
* When required, take the children out for meals between rehearsals/shows, ensuring the reputation
of the production and Producer is maintained at all times.
* Have an awareness of Health and Safety policies, and make sure that regulations are met within the department, including the wearing of appropriate clothing and footwear. Be familiar with the procedure for evacuation
in case of fire etc.
* Be fully aware of the conditions that form part of the licence granted to the production to have the children
perform. Ensuring that the child is working within the legal guidelines under which they are licenced to perform.
* Provide accurate records of your working hours to the Head Chaperone at the end of each working week and
ensure that all necessary working hour limits are adhered to.
* Attend promotional events such as publicity and photographic calls as required.
* Use appropriate language and actions in the presence of the children and ensure the same from other adults in
the vicinity.
* Listen to the views of the child and advocate for them when necessary.
This job description may be amended by the Producer from time to time and in addition to the duties set out above. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and have an equal opportunity approach across all personal characteristics.
Please note that all applicants must have the right to work in the UK and hold a valid Chaperone licence. You will be required to show proof of both.
The House Parent / Tutor will be asked to complete training for the NSPCC safeguarding children in entertainment certificate.
First round interviews will take place the week commencing 10th November 2025.
About Cameron Mackintosh Ltd
Cameron Mackintosh has been working in the theatre for almost 60 years and is the producer of several of the most legendary musicals of all time: Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera and Cats, three of the world's longest running, alongside the perennial Miss Saigon, Mary Poppins (co-produced with Disney), Little Shop of Horrors, and Hamilton in the UK, which he co-produces with Jeffrey Seller. With Stephen Sondheim, Cameron has created three musical revues: Side by Side by Sondheim, Putting it Together and most recently the hugely acclaimed Old Friends, starring Broadway legends Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga in the West End and on Broadway.
Cameron and Director Matthew Bourne's newly reimagined production of Oliver is playing to sellout audiences and rave reviews in the West End.
To celebrate Les Misérables' world record breaking continuous run of over 40 years, the Arena Spectacular Concert version of Les Misérables is playing an extensive World Tour (a first for any musical on this scale) selling out across the UK with a stellar cast of Les Mis alumni. Previous filmed concerts, at the Royal Albert Hall, the O2 Arena and the Gielgud Theatre, are still continually screened on television and in cinemas throughout the world, alongside Cameron's spectacular 25th Anniversary Concert of The Phantom of the Opera, also at the Royal Albert Hall.
In 2012, alongside Working Title Films and Universal, Cameron produced the hugely successful Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA award-winning film adaptation of Les Misérables, which is one of the most successful movies ever of an original stage musical. To celebrate over 10 years since its release, the movie has been remixed and re-released in full Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision in selected cinemas around the world, as well as a new home vision 4K Blu-ray disc and iTunes download version of the film.
Cameron owns and operates eight historic London theatres, which have all been spectacularly rebuilt and refurbished for the 21st century. They house many of London's most successful hits. The Sondheim, formerly known as the Queen's, has been renamed in honour of Cameron's great friend, theatrical legend Stephen Sondheim. Music Theatre International, one of the world's oldest and largest libraries of secondary rights of many of the greatest musicals ever written, has been one of Cameron's companies for over 30 years. MTI represents and champions both exciting new contemporary writers as well as the great classics and proudly represents the second-class rights for Disney Theatrical.
In 1990, Cameron inaugurated the Chair of Contemporary Theatre at St Catherine's College in Oxford University, with Stephen Sondheim as his visiting professor. The current Professor is world-renowned director, Gregory Doran. Music Theatre International, one of the world's oldest and largest libraries of secondary rights of the greatest musicals ever written, is now one of Cameron's companies.
Cameron was knighted in the 1996 New Year's Honours for his services to British theatre and in June 2023, was awarded the Freedom of the City of London. In 2014, he was the first British producer ever to be elected to Broadway's Theater Hall of Fame.
Please make sure that you read the job description and person specification when making your application. These documents will be attached to the job advert.