PRS for Music does not control the licensing for music from dramatico-musical works (a theatrical show which has music specially written for it, including operas, musicals, ballet and some pantomimes and revues).
The rights for dramatico-musical works (known as Grand Rights) are normally controlled by the publisher of the work and you have to pay them directly.
However it depends on how much of the work you are performing and how:
- A good general rule is that if you are performing a dramatico-musical work with a staged or semi-staged element you will need to obtain Grand Rights from the publisher.
- If you are performing an extract of a work without any staging (e.g. a song from a musical as part of your programme) then it will be licenced by PRS for Music in the usual way.
A staged or semi-staged performance is one that involves some performance beyond the music that is suggestive of the work - for example costume, characterisation, scenery, props or choreography. A performer wearing a mask while singing a song from The Phantom of the Opera would count as semi-staged. Some simple choreography such as finger clicking, a change in stance or arm movements would not count.
If you are performing music from a dramatico-musical work we suggest you read our Grand Rights guidance.
