Seven Dwarves

14 September 2011

Craig is all for living in the moment and makes no excuses for burning both ends of the candle. He has Moore Federman Syndrome, an extremely rare condition meaning he has the proportions of a seven-year-old boy. Despite doctors' warnings that he may soon end up in a wheelchair, Craig lives life to the limit, refusing to let the taunts of passers-by or the physical pain stop him from enjoying life.

As panto season progresses, Craig's mum comes to Woking to support him. She's proud of her son and what he's achieved, but she also reveals that she has decided to return to Bulgaria, to her former partner, much to Craig's disappointment. The dwarves all rally round him for support.

Now in the final weeks of the panto run, the seven have grown closer as a unit. The group are seen sticking firmly together out in Woking, faced with unwelcome drunken attention. Another night, Josh is still smarting hours after being ridiculed in a nightclub near Woking but eventually takes Max's strong advice and learns to take the taunts of others with humour and not let them get him down. ‘Some people have got phobias against us' says Josh. ‘And I know this is mean but if I ever see someone that's dwarf-phobic I have the urge to run and chase after them.'

 

Episode 1, Tuesday 16th August, 9pm, Channel 4

The first episode is Max's tale.  At 4ft2, 31-year-old Max sees the world from the viewpoint of the average eight-year-old boy. At the office where he works in telemarketing, Max's size isn't an issue - something that isn't the case during panto season when he leaves his friends and family to perform on stage for eight weeks over Christmas. This season, Max lives and works with six other little people - Josh, Craig, Ryan, Jamie John, Laura and his girlfriend Karen. They have all met before and some have shared digs for previous seasons, but this year the seven will live together as a group for the first time.

 

Max sees pantomime as an opportunity to make good money and have fun, but his dream is to leave his office job for a full-time acting career.  ‘I don't want to just be known as the panto dwarf' says Max.  ‘I want to be more than that, and I feel I can.'  The film follows Max as he meets up with twin sister Hannah, who doesn't share his condition. They talk about his acting career and Hannah reveals mixed feelings about her brother working in panto or jobs that focus on his height. Honest interviews with Max, his father, and best friend Ollie, give an insight into growing up as the only little person surrounded by average height family and friends, how life changed for Max when he hit his teens and the challenges he faced in finding relationships.

Between them the dwarves have a range of acting experience.  It's Ryan's first panto but as one of the veterans on his twelfth year in Snow White, Max finds himself taking some of the younger cast under his wing - giving constructive criticism over acting performance and down the pub for Dutch courage, which turns into a full scale karaoke performance.

The group get straight into rehearsals, some having barely looked at their scripts to prepare. The lead up to opening night is an intense period of long repetitive days at the theatre, which can be boring for some. Max, though, is keen for everyone's performance to be sharp and make the most of the opportunity. As well as doing panto run-throughs, the dwarves settle into daily life together - getting to know each other's interesting habits and enjoying some well-deserved nights out on the town in Woking - where seven little people find themselves very much the centre of attention.

Series Dir: Richard Curson-Smith
Series Prod: Michelle Fobler
Exec Prods: Nick Curwin, Magnus Temple
Series Editor: Jonathan Smith
Prod co: The Garden
Comm ed: Hamish Mykura

Episdoe 2, Tuesday 23 August, 9pm, Channel 4

The second episode is Josh's tale. Nineteen-year-old Josh Bennett is about to leave his teenage years behind him and is throwing a 20th birthday party at the house the seven dwarves are sharing. He may be the youngest of the seven, but has been appearing in Snow White since the age of 13.  ‘I am what I am. You don't like it, jog on.' says Josh. But this is the first year he's without any of his family and for someone who feels uneasy about walking to the shops alone, this will be a daunting prospect.

 

Josh is the third generation of an acting dynasty - both his Mum and Grandad are dwarves and have starred as Ewoks in the film Return of the Jedi. Together, the three run a business that also relies on their heights. When Josh isn't on stage, acting as an extra or being seen at film premieres, he is hired for gigs at stag and hen dos, children's and18th birthday parties. This film follows Josh as he dresses up as an Oompa Loompa and is handcuffed to an unsuspecting stag at the beginning of a pub crawl.

Josh and best mates Laura and Jamie share his nan's beloved trifle at midnight as he turns 20, and he's missing his family as he wakes up on his birthday. But a few days later, the whole group is in full party mode. Josh has invited the cast and crew of Snow White to the first birthday bash he's organised by himself, and while the stars of the panto - Gareth Gates and Claire Sweeney - don't make it, that doesn't stop Josh's friends and family celebrating his coming of age in true festive style.

 

Ryan met most of the other dwarves through being in Harry Potter, but this is his first pantomime - and acting on stage is a daunting prospect. As one of the shyest of the group, Ryan used to get anxious about being seen out in public and would cope by wearing headphones and imagine he was being looked at because he was a famous rock star. Beneath this unassuming exterior is a rock band drummer who, during the film, embarks on a life-changing relationship.

After being bullied in his early teenage years Ryan became a drummer in a rock band. The band members still play together and remain good friends.  It was through them that Ryan met Amy and the two of them got together at a band mate's wedding before his move to Woking. As love blossoms between the two, the dwarves go out of their way to welcome the newcomer, cooking her meals and taking her out bowling. And Amy isn't the only one forming bonds with the dwarves, as Josh invites Zoe one of the panto's dancers out for a curry. As well as falling in love, Ryan is finding his time with other dwarves is building his confidence, and doesn't feel the need for headphones in the street.

The panto finally reaches the end of its run and the dwarves reflect on the unique experience of spending the past six weeks living with other dwarves, and the friendships that have come out of their time together: ‘It's goodbye for the panto season,' says Jamie. ‘But it's not goodbye for us seven because I'm sure there's going to be weird and wonderful things around the corner for us all.'

The series catches up with the dwarves eight months later and there are tales of more romance, talks of marriage, a holiday of a lifetime and the excitement of Hollywood movies ahead and a whole new opportunity for a certain drag queen.

 

Episode 3, Tuesday 30th August, 9pm, Channel 4

The third tale is Jamie John's. Jamie is Britain's only dwarf drag queen and yearns for the day when his alter ego, Miss DQ, will be famous.

Twenty-two-year-old Jamie has come from at a leisure resort near Great Yarmouth where he works as an entertainer. By day he hosts bingo, bowls and quizzes for guests, and by night he dons a wig, a sequinned dress and a pair of high heels to embody his creation, Miss DQ. ‘I've performed from the moment I was born' says Jamie. ‘I don't stop. I don't think there's ever a time when I'm not performing.'

 

It's Christmas in Woking and Jamie wants it to be day to remember. This time of year is difficult for Jamie as he misses his father, who died five years ago during panto rehearsals with him. Nevertheless, he puts up decorations with gusto and tucks into a hearty Christmas dinner with Craig, Laura and her friend Claire, who's visiting. 

Glowing reviews of the panto and the dwarves' performances come out. They are also delighted to find out the production is the UK's biggest selling panto and are determined to keep the momentum going to hold on to that title.

 

Episode 4, Tuesday 6th September, 9pm, Channel 4

Episode four is Karen's tale. At 43, Karen is the oldest of the group and the only parent. Karen is a single mum of two daughters, 10-year-old Molly and 17-year-old Amber, neither of whom are small. Amongst the seven, Karen is known as the ‘fake dwarf ‘. She does not have Achondraplasia - the most common form of dwarfism. Karen just stopped growing.

 

Although Karen and Max have been seeing each other for a few months, they are keen to keep things casual, choosing separate bedrooms and concentrating on just having fun, as this is the first time they have lived together. But a few weeks into the pantomime run, Karen suddenly suffers a terrible loss that shocks the house, and brings the two closer together than ever before. The whole group is saddened and they comfort her, but it's Max's support that helps her deal with her grief, and be strong for her family. Karen and Max also give moving interviews to camera about how hurtful people's reactions to them can be, especially towards Max.

As well as poignant moments, the programme sees the continuing great fun and heart to the dwarves. Amber visits for her birthday and the group organise decorations, cake, games and entertain her with their special dance moves - the ‘mashed potato', ‘shopping trolley' and the ‘seven dwarves'. Snow White comes over for a sleep over and some of seven are filmed when they are hired to help out at a film premiere, dressed as famous icons for the occasion.

 

Episode 5, Tuesday 13th September, 9pm, Channel 4

The fifth tale is Laura's. By the age of 20, Laura has already crammed more into her life than most people do in a lifetime. As a child, she swam for her country at Disability Sport England and the Dwarf Olympics, winning numerous gold medals and breaking some world records. Laura travels the world performing but returns every year to take part in pantomime.

 

This year Laura is performing with her best friends, Josh and Jamie. She will also be celebrating her 21st birthday during the pantomime run. Jamie will be helping to organise the party and transforming into his drag persona, Miss DQ, to act as compere on the night. But alongside the celebrations for her birthday, she also remembers her mother who passed away when Laura was only 13. Laura's mum was her best friend and inspiration, giving her the confidence she needed to become a swimming champion. The period after her mother's death was extremely painful, and it was only when she started performing that Laura found a new direction in her life.

As everyone in the house prepares for Laura's birthday, Max and Karen are discovering that living together puts pressure on a relationship. And things come to a head at the party when Max spends too much time dancing with another girl. As Laura celebrates with Miss DQ, Karen walks out leaving Max wondering if it's all over.

 

TX: Starts Tuesday 16 Aug, 9pm, Channel 4

During the Christmas pantomime season all across Britain, dwarves - some of whom are employed in ordinary jobs from February to November - take on paying roles in the theatre.  This brand new observational documentary series follows the lives of seven dwarf actors as they live together and perform in a production of Snow White.  Seven Dwarves offers rounded insight into the personal and professional lives of the dwarves cast together for Woking's New Victoria Theatre pantomime, and aims to cut across some of the preconceptions that small people often encounter.

Made by the BAFTA-award winning executive producers Magnus Temple and Nick Curwin, (One Born Every Minute, 24 Hours in A&E) and series editor Jonathan Smith (One Born Every Minute, The Family), the series films with this outgoing, intelligent and honest group - from celebrating Christmas Day and New Year's Eve to winding down after performances, out with friends and family, and during their regular lives out of panto season. The dwarves also share what life is like as a small person in frank and candid interviews - all with an infectious sense of humour.

 

 

 

 

Craig is all for living in the moment and makes no excuses for burning both ends of the candle. He has Moore Federman Syndrome, an extremely rare condition meaning he has the proportions of a seven-year-old boy. Despite doctors' warnings that he may soon end up in a wheelchair, Craig lives life to the limit, refusing to let the taunts of passers-by or the physical pain stop him from enjoying life.

As panto season progresses, Craig's mum comes to Woking to support him. She's proud of her son and what he's achieved, but she also reveals that she has decided to return to Bulgaria, to her former partner, much to Craig's disappointment. The dwarves all rally round him for support.

Now in the final weeks of the panto run, the seven have grown closer as a unit. The group are seen sticking firmly together out in Woking, faced with unwelcome drunken attention. Another night, Josh is still smarting hours after being ridiculed in a nightclub near Woking but eventually takes Max's strong advice and learns to take the taunts of others with humour and not let them get him down. ‘Some people have got phobias against us' says Josh. ‘And I know this is mean but if I ever see someone that's dwarf-phobic I have the urge to run and chase after them.'

 

Episode 1, Tuesday 16th August, 9pm, Channel 4

The first episode is Max's tale.  At 4ft2, 31-year-old Max sees the world from the viewpoint of the average eight-year-old boy. At the office where he works in telemarketing, Max's size isn't an issue - something that isn't the case during panto season when he leaves his friends and family to perform on stage for eight weeks over Christmas. This season, Max lives and works with six other little people - Josh, Craig, Ryan, Jamie John, Laura and his girlfriend Karen. They have all met before and some have shared digs for previous seasons, but this year the seven will live together as a group for the first time.

 

Max sees pantomime as an opportunity to make good money and have fun, but his dream is to leave his office job for a full-time acting career.  ‘I don't want to just be known as the panto dwarf' says Max.  ‘I want to be more than that, and I feel I can.'  The film follows Max as he meets up with twin sister Hannah, who doesn't share his condition. They talk about his acting career and Hannah reveals mixed feelings about her brother working in panto or jobs that focus on his height. Honest interviews with Max, his father, and best friend Ollie, give an insight into growing up as the only little person surrounded by average height family and friends, how life changed for Max when he hit his teens and the challenges he faced in finding relationships.

Between them the dwarves have a range of acting experience.  It's Ryan's first panto but as one of the veterans on his twelfth year in Snow White, Max finds himself taking some of the younger cast under his wing - giving constructive criticism over acting performance and down the pub for Dutch courage, which turns into a full scale karaoke performance.

The group get straight into rehearsals, some having barely looked at their scripts to prepare. The lead up to opening night is an intense period of long repetitive days at the theatre, which can be boring for some. Max, though, is keen for everyone's performance to be sharp and make the most of the opportunity. As well as doing panto run-throughs, the dwarves settle into daily life together - getting to know each other's interesting habits and enjoying some well-deserved nights out on the town in Woking - where seven little people find themselves very much the centre of attention.

Series Dir: Richard Curson-Smith
Series Prod: Michelle Fobler
Exec Prods: Nick Curwin, Magnus Temple
Series Editor: Jonathan Smith
Prod co: The Garden
Comm ed: Hamish Mykura

Episdoe 2, Tuesday 23 August, 9pm, Channel 4

The second episode is Josh's tale. Nineteen-year-old Josh Bennett is about to leave his teenage years behind him and is throwing a 20th birthday party at the house the seven dwarves are sharing. He may be the youngest of the seven, but has been appearing in Snow White since the age of 13.  ‘I am what I am. You don't like it, jog on.' says Josh. But this is the first year he's without any of his family and for someone who feels uneasy about walking to the shops alone, this will be a daunting prospect.

 

Josh is the third generation of an acting dynasty - both his Mum and Grandad are dwarves and have starred as Ewoks in the film Return of the Jedi. Together, the three run a business that also relies on their heights. When Josh isn't on stage, acting as an extra or being seen at film premieres, he is hired for gigs at stag and hen dos, children's and18th birthday parties. This film follows Josh as he dresses up as an Oompa Loompa and is handcuffed to an unsuspecting stag at the beginning of a pub crawl.

Josh and best mates Laura and Jamie share his nan's beloved trifle at midnight as he turns 20, and he's missing his family as he wakes up on his birthday. But a few days later, the whole group is in full party mode. Josh has invited the cast and crew of Snow White to the first birthday bash he's organised by himself, and while the stars of the panto - Gareth Gates and Claire Sweeney - don't make it, that doesn't stop Josh's friends and family celebrating his coming of age in true festive style.

 

Ryan met most of the other dwarves through being in Harry Potter, but this is his first pantomime - and acting on stage is a daunting prospect. As one of the shyest of the group, Ryan used to get anxious about being seen out in public and would cope by wearing headphones and imagine he was being looked at because he was a famous rock star. Beneath this unassuming exterior is a rock band drummer who, during the film, embarks on a life-changing relationship.

After being bullied in his early teenage years Ryan became a drummer in a rock band. The band members still play together and remain good friends.  It was through them that Ryan met Amy and the two of them got together at a band mate's wedding before his move to Woking. As love blossoms between the two, the dwarves go out of their way to welcome the newcomer, cooking her meals and taking her out bowling. And Amy isn't the only one forming bonds with the dwarves, as Josh invites Zoe one of the panto's dancers out for a curry. As well as falling in love, Ryan is finding his time with other dwarves is building his confidence, and doesn't feel the need for headphones in the street.

The panto finally reaches the end of its run and the dwarves reflect on the unique experience of spending the past six weeks living with other dwarves, and the friendships that have come out of their time together: ‘It's goodbye for the panto season,' says Jamie. ‘But it's not goodbye for us seven because I'm sure there's going to be weird and wonderful things around the corner for us all.'

The series catches up with the dwarves eight months later and there are tales of more romance, talks of marriage, a holiday of a lifetime and the excitement of Hollywood movies ahead and a whole new opportunity for a certain drag queen.

 

Episode 3, Tuesday 30th August, 9pm, Channel 4

The third tale is Jamie John's. Jamie is Britain's only dwarf drag queen and yearns for the day when his alter ego, Miss DQ, will be famous.

Twenty-two-year-old Jamie has come from at a leisure resort near Great Yarmouth where he works as an entertainer. By day he hosts bingo, bowls and quizzes for guests, and by night he dons a wig, a sequinned dress and a pair of high heels to embody his creation, Miss DQ. ‘I've performed from the moment I was born' says Jamie. ‘I don't stop. I don't think there's ever a time when I'm not performing.'

 

It's Christmas in Woking and Jamie wants it to be day to remember. This time of year is difficult for Jamie as he misses his father, who died five years ago during panto rehearsals with him. Nevertheless, he puts up decorations with gusto and tucks into a hearty Christmas dinner with Craig, Laura and her friend Claire, who's visiting. 

Glowing reviews of the panto and the dwarves' performances come out. They are also delighted to find out the production is the UK's biggest selling panto and are determined to keep the momentum going to hold on to that title.

 

Episode 4, Tuesday 6th September, 9pm, Channel 4

Episode four is Karen's tale. At 43, Karen is the oldest of the group and the only parent. Karen is a single mum of two daughters, 10-year-old Molly and 17-year-old Amber, neither of whom are small. Amongst the seven, Karen is known as the ‘fake dwarf ‘. She does not have Achondraplasia - the most common form of dwarfism. Karen just stopped growing.

 

Although Karen and Max have been seeing each other for a few months, they are keen to keep things casual, choosing separate bedrooms and concentrating on just having fun, as this is the first time they have lived together. But a few weeks into the pantomime run, Karen suddenly suffers a terrible loss that shocks the house, and brings the two closer together than ever before. The whole group is saddened and they comfort her, but it's Max's support that helps her deal with her grief, and be strong for her family. Karen and Max also give moving interviews to camera about how hurtful people's reactions to them can be, especially towards Max.

As well as poignant moments, the programme sees the continuing great fun and heart to the dwarves. Amber visits for her birthday and the group organise decorations, cake, games and entertain her with their special dance moves - the ‘mashed potato', ‘shopping trolley' and the ‘seven dwarves'. Snow White comes over for a sleep over and some of seven are filmed when they are hired to help out at a film premiere, dressed as famous icons for the occasion.

 

Episode 5, Tuesday 13th September, 9pm, Channel 4

The fifth tale is Laura's. By the age of 20, Laura has already crammed more into her life than most people do in a lifetime. As a child, she swam for her country at Disability Sport England and the Dwarf Olympics, winning numerous gold medals and breaking some world records. Laura travels the world performing but returns every year to take part in pantomime.

 

This year Laura is performing with her best friends, Josh and Jamie. She will also be celebrating her 21st birthday during the pantomime run. Jamie will be helping to organise the party and transforming into his drag persona, Miss DQ, to act as compere on the night. But alongside the celebrations for her birthday, she also remembers her mother who passed away when Laura was only 13. Laura's mum was her best friend and inspiration, giving her the confidence she needed to become a swimming champion. The period after her mother's death was extremely painful, and it was only when she started performing that Laura found a new direction in her life.

As everyone in the house prepares for Laura's birthday, Max and Karen are discovering that living together puts pressure on a relationship. And things come to a head at the party when Max spends too much time dancing with another girl. As Laura celebrates with Miss DQ, Karen walks out leaving Max wondering if it's all over.

 

TX: Starts Tuesday 16 Aug, 9pm, Channel 4

During the Christmas pantomime season all across Britain, dwarves - some of whom are employed in ordinary jobs from February to November - take on paying roles in the theatre.  This brand new observational documentary series follows the lives of seven dwarf actors as they live together and perform in a production of Snow White.  Seven Dwarves offers rounded insight into the personal and professional lives of the dwarves cast together for Woking's New Victoria Theatre pantomime, and aims to cut across some of the preconceptions that small people often encounter.

Made by the BAFTA-award winning executive producers Magnus Temple and Nick Curwin, (One Born Every Minute, 24 Hours in A&E) and series editor Jonathan Smith (One Born Every Minute, The Family), the series films with this outgoing, intelligent and honest group - from celebrating Christmas Day and New Year's Eve to winding down after performances, out with friends and family, and during their regular lives out of panto season. The dwarves also share what life is like as a small person in frank and candid interviews - all with an infectious sense of humour.

 

 

 

 

Craig is all for living in the moment and makes no excuses for burning both ends of the candle. He has Moore Federman Syndrome, an extremely rare condition meaning he has the proportions of a seven-year-old boy. Despite doctors' warnings that he may soon end up in a wheelchair, Craig lives life to the limit, refusing to let the taunts of passers-by or the physical pain stop him from enjoying life.

As panto season progresses, Craig's mum comes to Woking to support him. She's proud of her son and what he's achieved, but she also reveals that she has decided to return to Bulgaria, to her former partner, much to Craig's disappointment. The dwarves all rally round him for support.

Now in the final weeks of the panto run, the seven have grown closer as a unit. The group are seen sticking firmly together out in Woking, faced with unwelcome drunken attention. Another night, Josh is still smarting hours after being ridiculed in a nightclub near Woking but eventually takes Max's strong advice and learns to take the taunts of others with humour and not let them get him down. ‘Some people have got phobias against us' says Josh. ‘And I know this is mean but if I ever see someone that's dwarf-phobic I have the urge to run and chase after them.'

 

Episode 1, Tuesday 16th August, 9pm, Channel 4

The first episode is Max's tale.  At 4ft2, 31-year-old Max sees the world from the viewpoint of the average eight-year-old boy. At the office where he works in telemarketing, Max's size isn't an issue - something that isn't the case during panto season when he leaves his friends and family to perform on stage for eight weeks over Christmas. This season, Max lives and works with six other little people - Josh, Craig, Ryan, Jamie John, Laura and his girlfriend Karen. They have all met before and some have shared digs for previous seasons, but this year the seven will live together as a group for the first time.

 

Max sees pantomime as an opportunity to make good money and have fun, but his dream is to leave his office job for a full-time acting career.  ‘I don't want to just be known as the panto dwarf' says Max.  ‘I want to be more than that, and I feel I can.'  The film follows Max as he meets up with twin sister Hannah, who doesn't share his condition. They talk about his acting career and Hannah reveals mixed feelings about her brother working in panto or jobs that focus on his height. Honest interviews with Max, his father, and best friend Ollie, give an insight into growing up as the only little person surrounded by average height family and friends, how life changed for Max when he hit his teens and the challenges he faced in finding relationships.

Between them the dwarves have a range of acting experience.  It's Ryan's first panto but as one of the veterans on his twelfth year in Snow White, Max finds himself taking some of the younger cast under his wing - giving constructive criticism over acting performance and down the pub for Dutch courage, which turns into a full scale karaoke performance.

The group get straight into rehearsals, some having barely looked at their scripts to prepare. The lead up to opening night is an intense period of long repetitive days at the theatre, which can be boring for some. Max, though, is keen for everyone's performance to be sharp and make the most of the opportunity. As well as doing panto run-throughs, the dwarves settle into daily life together - getting to know each other's interesting habits and enjoying some well-deserved nights out on the town in Woking - where seven little people find themselves very much the centre of attention.

Series Dir: Richard Curson-Smith
Series Prod: Michelle Fobler
Exec Prods: Nick Curwin, Magnus Temple
Series Editor: Jonathan Smith
Prod co: The Garden
Comm ed: Hamish Mykura

Episdoe 2, Tuesday 23 August, 9pm, Channel 4

The second episode is Josh's tale. Nineteen-year-old Josh Bennett is about to leave his teenage years behind him and is throwing a 20th birthday party at the house the seven dwarves are sharing. He may be the youngest of the seven, but has been appearing in Snow White since the age of 13.  ‘I am what I am. You don't like it, jog on.' says Josh. But this is the first year he's without any of his family and for someone who feels uneasy about walking to the shops alone, this will be a daunting prospect.

 

Josh is the third generation of an acting dynasty - both his Mum and Grandad are dwarves and have starred as Ewoks in the film Return of the Jedi. Together, the three run a business that also relies on their heights. When Josh isn't on stage, acting as an extra or being seen at film premieres, he is hired for gigs at stag and hen dos, children's and18th birthday parties. This film follows Josh as he dresses up as an Oompa Loompa and is handcuffed to an unsuspecting stag at the beginning of a pub crawl.

Josh and best mates Laura and Jamie share his nan's beloved trifle at midnight as he turns 20, and he's missing his family as he wakes up on his birthday. But a few days later, the whole group is in full party mode. Josh has invited the cast and crew of Snow White to the first birthday bash he's organised by himself, and while the stars of the panto - Gareth Gates and Claire Sweeney - don't make it, that doesn't stop Josh's friends and family celebrating his coming of age in true festive style.

 

Ryan met most of the other dwarves through being in Harry Potter, but this is his first pantomime - and acting on stage is a daunting prospect. As one of the shyest of the group, Ryan used to get anxious about being seen out in public and would cope by wearing headphones and imagine he was being looked at because he was a famous rock star. Beneath this unassuming exterior is a rock band drummer who, during the film, embarks on a life-changing relationship.

After being bullied in his early teenage years Ryan became a drummer in a rock band. The band members still play together and remain good friends.  It was through them that Ryan met Amy and the two of them got together at a band mate's wedding before his move to Woking. As love blossoms between the two, the dwarves go out of their way to welcome the newcomer, cooking her meals and taking her out bowling. And Amy isn't the only one forming bonds with the dwarves, as Josh invites Zoe one of the panto's dancers out for a curry. As well as falling in love, Ryan is finding his time with other dwarves is building his confidence, and doesn't feel the need for headphones in the street.

The panto finally reaches the end of its run and the dwarves reflect on the unique experience of spending the past six weeks living with other dwarves, and the friendships that have come out of their time together: ‘It's goodbye for the panto season,' says Jamie. ‘But it's not goodbye for us seven because I'm sure there's going to be weird and wonderful things around the corner for us all.'

The series catches up with the dwarves eight months later and there are tales of more romance, talks of marriage, a holiday of a lifetime and the excitement of Hollywood movies ahead and a whole new opportunity for a certain drag queen.

 

Episode 3, Tuesday 30th August, 9pm, Channel 4

The third tale is Jamie John's. Jamie is Britain's only dwarf drag queen and yearns for the day when his alter ego, Miss DQ, will be famous.

Twenty-two-year-old Jamie has come from at a leisure resort near Great Yarmouth where he works as an entertainer. By day he hosts bingo, bowls and quizzes for guests, and by night he dons a wig, a sequinned dress and a pair of high heels to embody his creation, Miss DQ. ‘I've performed from the moment I was born' says Jamie. ‘I don't stop. I don't think there's ever a time when I'm not performing.'

 

It's Christmas in Woking and Jamie wants it to be day to remember. This time of year is difficult for Jamie as he misses his father, who died five years ago during panto rehearsals with him. Nevertheless, he puts up decorations with gusto and tucks into a hearty Christmas dinner with Craig, Laura and her friend Claire, who's visiting. 

Glowing reviews of the panto and the dwarves' performances come out. They are also delighted to find out the production is the UK's biggest selling panto and are determined to keep the momentum going to hold on to that title.

 

Episode 4, Tuesday 6th September, 9pm, Channel 4

Episode four is Karen's tale. At 43, Karen is the oldest of the group and the only parent. Karen is a single mum of two daughters, 10-year-old Molly and 17-year-old Amber, neither of whom are small. Amongst the seven, Karen is known as the ‘fake dwarf ‘. She does not have Achondraplasia - the most common form of dwarfism. Karen just stopped growing.

 

Although Karen and Max have been seeing each other for a few months, they are keen to keep things casual, choosing separate bedrooms and concentrating on just having fun, as this is the first time they have lived together. But a few weeks into the pantomime run, Karen suddenly suffers a terrible loss that shocks the house, and brings the two closer together than ever before. The whole group is saddened and they comfort her, but it's Max's support that helps her deal with her grief, and be strong for her family. Karen and Max also give moving interviews to camera about how hurtful people's reactions to them can be, especially towards Max.

As well as poignant moments, the programme sees the continuing great fun and heart to the dwarves. Amber visits for her birthday and the group organise decorations, cake, games and entertain her with their special dance moves - the ‘mashed potato', ‘shopping trolley' and the ‘seven dwarves'. Snow White comes over for a sleep over and some of seven are filmed when they are hired to help out at a film premiere, dressed as famous icons for the occasion.

 

Episode 5, Tuesday 13th September, 9pm, Channel 4

The fifth tale is Laura's. By the age of 20, Laura has already crammed more into her life than most people do in a lifetime. As a child, she swam for her country at Disability Sport England and the Dwarf Olympics, winning numerous gold medals and breaking some world records. Laura travels the world performing but returns every year to take part in pantomime.

 

This year Laura is performing with her best friends, Josh and Jamie. She will also be celebrating her 21st birthday during the pantomime run. Jamie will be helping to organise the party and transforming into his drag persona, Miss DQ, to act as compere on the night. But alongside the celebrations for her birthday, she also remembers her mother who passed away when Laura was only 13. Laura's mum was her best friend and inspiration, giving her the confidence she needed to become a swimming champion. The period after her mother's death was extremely painful, and it was only when she started performing that Laura found a new direction in her life.

As everyone in the house prepares for Laura's birthday, Max and Karen are discovering that living together puts pressure on a relationship. And things come to a head at the party when Max spends too much time dancing with another girl. As Laura celebrates with Miss DQ, Karen walks out leaving Max wondering if it's all over.

 

TX: Starts Tuesday 16 Aug, 9pm, Channel 4

During the Christmas pantomime season all across Britain, dwarves - some of whom are employed in ordinary jobs from February to November - take on paying roles in the theatre.  This brand new observational documentary series follows the lives of seven dwarf actors as they live together and perform in a production of Snow White.  Seven Dwarves offers rounded insight into the personal and professional lives of the dwarves cast together for Woking's New Victoria Theatre pantomime, and aims to cut across some of the preconceptions that small people often encounter.

Made by the BAFTA-award winning executive producers Magnus Temple and Nick Curwin, (One Born Every Minute, 24 Hours in A&E) and series editor Jonathan Smith (One Born Every Minute, The Family), the series films with this outgoing, intelligent and honest group - from celebrating Christmas Day and New Year's Eve to winding down after performances, out with friends and family, and during their regular lives out of panto season. The dwarves also share what life is like as a small person in frank and candid interviews - all with an infectious sense of humour.