[music-elf]

Wanted to ask your expert opinion. A friend of mine is performing in an amateur show next week (a 'songs from the shows' affair), and told me that the producers of this show are using an illegal recording of an excerpt of 'Wicked' to be used inbetween some of the songs. She doesn't think this is legal (and quite frankly, neither do I) and being a big fan of the show thought someone ought to know, but neither of us know who to speak to about this. The recording was apparently made by the director during a performance in the West End! If anyone could offer advice it would be much appreciated. I wouldn't want to see someones work be misrepresented, especially as the show is so good (I have seen it twice now).

[Alexandra]

God save us from officious fans. Of course it's illegal, but it's an amateur production you say, and it's likely to promote the show not damage it - why don't you just stay the hell out of it.

[Haz]

Ditto what Alexandra said. By posting this on here, all you've served to do is alert even more people to the fact that you're breaking the law.

[music-elf]

God save us from officious fans. Of course it's illegal, but it's an amateur production you say, and it's likely to promote the show not damage it - why don't you just stay the hell out of it.

Well that's a fair point dear, but would you say the same if it was someone making money from your work without your permission? I don't know, and that's why I asked!

And as for the aggressive response - is there really any need for that? I had a question to ask because I didn't know, no more than that. I apologise if you thought I was being officious. I've only seen the show twice mind, i'm not a stage-door stalker or anything like that! I enjoyed the show when I saw it with my girlfriends, and then took my husband to see it as well.

Besides, it was my friends concern that prompted me to ask. Please let's not fight X

[music-elf]

Ditto what Alexandra said. By posting this on here, all you've served to do is alert even more people to the fact that you're breaking the law.

I'M not breaking the law, I was asking if it is right or not that SOMEONE ELSE can break the law in this way. Please do keep up.

[Matthew Winn]

To take the contrary position:

Unless they have permission they must not play any recording before a public audience. That's true of all recordings, whether official or unofficial.

It may be that the production team don't realise that what they are doing is wrong. Inform them anonymously to give them an opportunity to remove the offending material. They may be acting in innocence so it's fair to give them a chance to fix the problem. If, as you say, it's just intermediate material, it can probably be removed without affecting the rest of the show.

If you want to report it, contact the Apollo Victoria and ask for the contact details of the producers of Wicked. You should still act anonymously, as there can be repercussions even if you're acting with the most honourable of intentions and fully within the law. The producers of the amateur show are running a huge risk: they may get away with it, and if you report it and they're sent a cease and desist letter in advance of performances and comply with it they may be OK, but if the producers of Wicked find out about this after performances have started they will almost certainly shut the entire production down immediately. Even professional shows have been shut down for licence violations, and if someone has knowingly used copyright material without authorisation they're unlikely to receive any mercy.

(To get the message across about how strict people can be, when I say "shut the production down immediately" I don't mean "after that night's performance". I mean immediately.)

[Alexandra]

"Please let's not fight X"

OK (but don't call me dear if you don't want a fight! ).

[Haz]

Interestingly (on a related note), I know that Wicked have okayed their songs being performed outside of the show, provided that they're out of context (ie, you're not just acting out the whole thing). I know of several that are appearing in pantos this Christmas.

[Orchestrator]

Interestingly (on a related note), I know that Wicked have okayed their songs being performed outside of the show, provided that they're out of context (ie, you're not just acting out the whole thing). I know of several that are appearing in pantos this Christmas.

I would imagine there's a financial consideration involved.

Regarding the OP, yes it's illegal. It's as illegal as using cracked software or stealing a book from Blackwell's. If the guy recorded it during the show at the Apollo he must have done it covertly, therefore he must have known that that bit was illegal; I doubt he's stupid enough to imagine that using the illegal recording will be ok. It would be illegal to use the Cast Album in a public performance without permission.

[Alexandra]

I don't think anyone was suggesting that it's not illegal. That much is obvious.