If you are planning to perform a scripted show at the theatre you will need to obtain “grand rights” for your production. This means you will have paid, or agreed to pay, the rights holders or their representatives to perform.

You should make these arrangements before confirming your hire of the theatre.  

Most rights holders require that your publicity materials contain information about the rights holder to confirm that permission has been granted.  Please ensure you are aware of these requirements.  We will include license information on our website along side the show details and image.

In the case of other shows, such as concerts, dance shows, variety shows, pantomimes and others, the theatre is obliged to collect the fees for the performance of songs and music in most circumstances. We collect these fees on behalf of PPLPRS (Phonographic Performance and Performing Rights).

Note: Prices quoted below are liable to change on a yearly basis so may not be accurate. This page is meant as a rough guide only, and is not comprehensive, but covers the most common charges for PRS so it is worth checking with us if you would like more details.

Dance Shows
Dance shows pay a flat fee per performance of £43.49 + VAT. 

Variety Shows
Variety shows, which include pantomimes and gang shows, are charged 2% + VAT of gross box office receipts.

Concerts
Concerts, such as “songs from the shows”, are usually charged at 4.2% + VAT of gross box office receipts.

Playing recorded music during a show
To have music accompany a scene during a show, where music is not heard by characters during a show, there is a single charge £12.37 + VAT per week.

Music played to be heard by characters during a show, for example from a radio may be subject to a small charge, and a request needs to be made in advance of the performance. The performance of a song not covered by "grand rights" during a show would also attract a small fee.

Reductions
We can reduce the fee for concerts and variety shows if the music occupies less than a certain percentage of the total performance time.  Please contact finance@jrtheatre.co.uk for more information.  We must submit these requests well in advance, so let us know in good time if you think this might apply to you.

Exceptions
PPL/PRS do not hold the license for some music. Such music attracts different charges and permission to perform must be sought in advance from alternative rights holders. The hirer is responsible for doing this, although we may be able to help you. The most common exceptions we deal with are: Disney songs (including “Book of Mormon” and others), songs from “GREASE”, “ABBA” songs and songs from “The Greatest Showman”.