Download A Guide to the Use of Existing Music in Performance

Brentwood Theatre – A Guide to the Use of Existing Music in Performance
The following information is intended to assist hirers of Brentwood Theatre in the identification of
licences and charges relating to the use of existing music in performances. This does not cover
performances where music comes as an integral part of the show’s rights.
Charges to be levied will depend on whether music used is either ‘IN’ or ‘OUT’ of copyright;

‘IN copyright’ refers to music that has been composed by someone who is either still alive, or
has been dead for less than 70 years (i.e. died after 1945). Charges for using such music will
be made by PRS and PPL.

‘OUT of copyright’ refers to music that has been composed by someone who has been dead
for 70 years or more (i.e. died before 1945). Charges for such music will be made by PPL
only.
PRS & PPL
PRS and PPL licensing are two independent schemes that represent the interests of different rights
holders for the use of recorded and live music in public performances. It does not include the use of
sound effects.
PRS – stands for ‘Performing Rights Society’. This covers the use of the actual lyrics and composed
music in any public performance of music, (live or recorded) on behalf of the song writers,
composers and publishers. PRS charges are made up of 3 elements;

Standard royalties –covers music used at the following times:
before the opening of a show and including the overture
during the interval of a show
after a show
These are the only PRS charges which are covered by the licence paid for by Brentwood
Theatre

Charges for Interpolated music – this is music which is not specially written for a theatrical
production (and excluding overture, entr’acte, exit, incidental and curtain music) and which is
performed by or intended to be audible to a character or characters in that theatrical
production.(e.g. a radio playing during a scene).
Charges vary depending on the amount of music used - charged per performance if 24
minutes or under of music are used, but charged as a % of net box office receipts if the
number of minutes of music exceed 30% of the total running time. NOTE: this is 30% of the
running time EXCLUDING the periods covered by the standard royalties above
16 – 20 minutes
£21.53
+ £4.31 VAT
= £25.84 per performance
20 – 24 minutes
£30.41
+ £6.08 VAT
= £36.49 per performance
30% - 35% of running time
1.0% of net box office receipts
35% - 40% of running time
1.5% of net box office receipts
40% - 45% of running time
2.0% of net box office receipts
45% - 50% of running time
2.5% of net box office receipts
50% - 55% of running time
3.0% of net box office receipts
55% - 60% of running time
4.0% of net box office receipts
Brentwood Theatre’s PRS licence does not cover these charges – they are the responsibility
of the hirer.

Charges for Incidental or curtain music means music heard by the theatre audience as an
accompaniment to the play but which is not performed by or intended to be audible to any of
the characters in the play. (e.g. underscoring)
These charges are levied at £9.86 + VAT (£11.83) per week, not on any percentage basis.
Brentwood Theatre’s PRS licence does not cover these charges – they are the responsibility
of the hirer.
PPL – is the acronym for Phonographic Performance Ltd and this covers the use of recorded music on
behalf of the record companies and also the performer’s rights. Charges are per performance and
based on the number of minutes used:
0.01 – 2.50 minutes
2.51 – 5.00 minutes
5.01 – 10-00 minutes
10.01 - 15.00 minutes
15.01 – 20.00 minutes
£2.49
£3.56
£7.12
£10.68
£14.24
+ £0.50 VAT
+ £0.71 VAT
+ £1.42 VAT
+ £2.14 VAT
+ £2.85 VAT
= £2.99
= £4.27
= £8.54
= £12.82
= £16.79
Thereafter, each additional 5 minute band costs a further £3.56 + £0.71 VAT (total £4.27).
Brentwood Theatre’s PRS licence does not cover these charges – they are the responsibility
of the hirer.
To summarise; the component parts of a performance are shown below together with the relevant
licence(s):
Show
Area
Covered by
Brentwood Theatre’s
PRS Standard Licence?
PRS Interpolated
Licence Required?
Hirer’s Responsibility
Liable for Incidental or
Curtain Music Charges?
Hirer’s Responsibility
Pre-show
&
overture
Yes
No
No
Act 1
No
Yes, but only if music
is still in copyright
Yes
Entr’acte
& Interval
Yes
No
No
Act 2.
No
Yes, but only if music
is still in copyright
Yes
Curtain
No
No
Yes
Exit
music &
Playout
Yes
No
No
PPL Licence Required?
Hirer’s Responsibility
Yes
Bentwood Theatre neither accepts no responsibility for any failure on the part of the Hirer to
either obtain or pay for the appropriate licences(s).
28/2/2014