Restrictions on taking part in public performances, etc.
137.—(1) A child shall not take part in a performance to which this Article applies unless—
(a)a licence has been granted under Article 138, or
(b)by virtue of paragraph (3), no licence is required.
(2) This Article applies to—
(a)any performance in connection with which a charge is made (whether for admission or otherwise);
(b)any performance in licensed premises within the meaning of the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1990(1), or in any premises in respect of which a club is registered under the Registration of Clubs (Northern Ireland) Order 1987(2);
(c)any broadcast performance;
(d)any performance not falling within sub-paragraph (c) but included in a programme service;
(e)any performance recorded (by whatever means) with a view to its use in a broadcast or a programme service or in a film intended for public exhibition;
and a child shall be treated for the purposes of this Article as taking part in a performance if he takes the place of a performer in any rehearsal or in any preparation for the recording of the performance.
(3) A licence under Article 138 shall not be required for any child to take part in a performance to which this Article applies if—
(a)in the six months preceding the performance he has not taken part in other performances to which this Article applies on more than three days; or
(b)the performance is given under arrangements made by a school or made by a body of persons approved for the purposes of this Article by the Department of Education or by the education and library board in whose area the performance takes place, and no payment in respect of the child’s taking part in the performance is made, whether to him or to any other person, except for defraying expenses;
but the Department of Education may, with the approval of the Department, by regulations prescribe conditions to be observed with respect to the hours of work, rest or meals of children taking part in performances as mentioned in sub-paragraph (a).