Hippodrome CEO Simon Thomas defended the controversial advert (pictured below) by saying he wanted to build on the rich tradition of diminutive performers at the venue, which, in its 114-year history, has featured high-diving acrobatic dwarves and the famous circus performer Little Tich.
However, Thomas also had another more practical reason for employing dwarf bouncers to work on the Hippodrome doors. As well as bringing a smile to the faces of patrons, he thinks they will actually do a better job than their larger counterparts.
“No-one messes with a dwarf,” Thomas told The Telegraph. “They can handle people much better than having a human eclipse on the door as some of the clubs do in London. Nobody is going to pick on someone who is below-average height. It's not exactly a macho thing to do so it is a very good way of controlling the door.”
However, Thomas’ suggestion that the dwarves are being put on the doors as much to make people laugh as to act as security is likely to trigger complaints that the venue is encouraging visitors to make fun of people with restricted growth, an accusation which Thomas has rejected.
“There is no discrimination at all,” he said. “I find we live in a world of political correctness gone mad. I am trying to run a very large entertaining complex and I have a lot of different people with lots of different skills. I have chosen that those skills and physical attributes are appropriate to that job.”
The Restricted Growth Society issued a press release today where they welcomed and encouraged the employment of people with dwarfism, providing it is for a genuine occupational reason. They have offered the Hippodrome their assistance in understanding some of the issues faced by people with restricted growth and encourage the casino to put any new staff through SIA training.
However, they condemn any representation of people with dwarfism as a "source of amusement" as "such representation serves only to reinforce negative cultural stereotypes". The RGA states this kind of behaviour in turn only encourages the harassment and abuse of people with dwarfism.
What do you think about the Hippodrome’s advert? Is it a bit of fun or political correctness gone mad? Comment below!
