PERFORMANCE LICENCES
To present a public performance of one of our musicals you need a performance licence. We have created a simple and affordable system for buying licences online. Click here to go straight to the licence application page.
FAQs about licensing
What is a private performance?
What does a performance licence let me do?
What am I allowed to photocopy if I have a performance licence?
What about if I wish to video or record a performance?
What do I do if I can't pay online?
Who benefits from the proceeds of licensing?
What is a public performance?
A public performance — whether admission is charged or is free — is defined as a performance to an audience which includes any of the following: parents, relatives, friends, anyone who is not a member of the educational establishment performing the work.
What is a private performance?
If an audience is comprised solely of staff and pupils of the educational establishment performing the work, the performance is PRIVATE and you do not require a performance licence.
What does a performance licence let me do?
The performance licence allows you to present a public performance to a paying or non-paying audience within a one year time-period (the e-mail receipt we send you will be dated). Within that time period you may present one or more performances of the work and collect box office takings to a maximum of £500.
What am I allowed to photocopy if I have a performance licence?
A performance licence allows you to photocopy the printed script and CD-ROM text of the musical for rehearsal purposes. These copies should be destroyed after the musical for which they were licensed has been performed.
A licence DOES NOT allow you to photocopy any other part of the musical. No part of any musical should be photocopied unless specifically permitted either by licence or by an exemption included in the individual musical.
What is a photocopy licence?
If you are intending to put on a private performance of a musical and you wish to make photocopies as above for this purpose, you may purchase a photocopy licence at a reduced fee.
What does a licence cost?
Photocopy licence: £10 + VAT
Public performance licence where admission is FREE: £20 + VAT
Public performance licence with admission charges: £20 + VAT + 10% of box office takings
(please contact the Copyright Manager at the address below if box office takings are more than £500)
What about if I wish to video or record a performance?
If your school wishes to video or record a performance, either for your own internal use or in order to sell copies to parents, you must write to us separately to obtain permission. For videos or CDs sold we will issue you with an appropriate licence on payment of a percentage fee, calculated on the retail selling price and total number of copies produced. See below for our contact details.
What do I do if I can't pay online?
To keep licensing simple and affordable we have cut down on costly administration by creating the online licensing scheme. We strongly urge you to use the online licensing scheme and to pay by credit/debit card if at all possible. We know that some schools may need to pay by other means, and we have a limited system for doing this. If you cannot pay by card, please look at the website to determine what type of licence you require, then send a cheque for the relevant amount payable to 'A&C Black' at the below address. You will need to provide details of the type of licence you require, dates of the performances, and contact details for the school. Please send to:
The Copyright Manager
Music Department,
A&C Black Publishers Ltd,
36 Soho Square,
London,
W1D 3QY
If you are unsure of the type of licence you require or have any questions that are not answered here you can e-mail music@acblack.com.
Who benefits from the proceeds of licensing?
The writers! These are the talented people who put in long hard hours and wonderful creativity to produce great shows for schools to perform. The proceeds from your licence fees and the share of the box office takings is divided amongst them.
In the case of Roald Dahl musicals, a share is given to the Roald Dahl Foundation, which offers a programme of grant-giving to charities, hospitals and individuals in the UK. Practical assistance for children and families is offered in three areas: neurology, haematology and literacy.
In addition, A&C Black retains a small share to cover the cost of administration.
