Cardiff theatre company calls on screen industry to cast more disabled actors

A theatre company in Cardiff are calling for new guidelines on the casting of actors with learning and developmental disabilities to be put in place across Wales.

Hijinx Theatre, which runs a not-for-profit acting academy and casting agency for actors with disabilities, wants better representation on screen.

The guidelines include advice on avoiding stereotypes, auditioning appropriately and how to promote ethical casting to industry professionals.

The theatre company set out their guidelines at an event promoting more diverse casting of disabled actors.

Clare Williams, Chief Executive of Hijinx, said it was 'unacceptable' for actors without a learning difficulty to play a learning disabled character.

The theatre company have challenged the screen industry to produce a learning disabled Oscar winner by the year 2030.

The guidelines have received support by the Welsh Government with the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas praising the initiative.