an off topic copyright query

[docmattc]

Not technically a liturgy matter I know, but I suspect someone will know the answer.

The parish drama group (2ndry school kids mostly) are putting on a musical and have asked me to play.

What are the copyright /PRS issues here? Presumably one cannot put on a show without paying someone royalties.

As I'm a stickler for copyright in church, I don't feel I can just ignore it in the church hall.

[musicus]

You are correct: there is almost certainly a fee to be paid. For example, when schools put on productions of 'West Side Story', they need to obtain permission (which is not always given, especially if there is a professional production nearby at the time) and a licence. The same applies to youth clubs, am-dram groups, etc.

I suggest that someone approaches the publisher of the piece and asks them; they will know.

BTW, all the usual excuses to avoid paying royalties are equally spurious in this situation:

- we're not charging for entrance, so we don't have to pay - WRONG!
- it's for charity, so we don't have to pay - WRONG!
- it's in a church, so we don't have to pay - WRONG!
- we've bought the music, so we don't have to pay - WRONG!
- we can't afford it, so we don't have to pay - WRONG!

You get the idea...