Can an amateur musical drama group put on a concert without paying royalties to

Question: Can an amateur musical drama group put on a concert without paying royalties to the licence holder !?

eg, if we want to sing Bring him home from les miserables do we need permission from the writers/copyright holders etcWww@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

I can only answer this question with authority if the writer, and indeed the musical drama group, is situated in England!. All published material is subject to a performing licence being obtained from the royalty holder, be it dialogue or music UNLESS (with a very few exceptions) it is more than fifty years old!. Again, the performer has to be wary here of the orchestration used, because although the piece itself may be old enough, the orchestrator may be more modern!. In some cases, if you approach the music publisher stating that all proceeds are, for instance, going to charity, then a reduction or waiving of fees payable may be granted under such circumstances!. Concert versions (i!.e!. just standing singing, not portraying a costumed scene like 'storming the barricades', for instance, to use your own musical) of some songs are permitted, but permission has to be granted each time!. Ignorance of the laws governing royalty is no excuse and fines can be quite heavy!. Clarify each submission with the licence-holder before going into rehearsal as permission is not always granted due to other productions being performed in the area!.
If your proposed concert is a fund-raiser for your society and you want to keep fees to an absolute minimum, why not consider putting on an Old Time Music Hall!? Most songs of that era are well out of copywright by now!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I should think so, anything connected with the big musicals such as Les Mis would need to be available legally for amateur productions!. I doubt that they are!.Www@QuestionHome@Com