Frequently Asked Questions for Pantomime Scripts by Alan P Frayn

Minor changes (eg. inclusion of local or topical references and lines leading into your choice of musical numbers) are allowed without seeking permission. More major changes (eg. re-naming of scenes or characters and inclusion of additional material), will probably also be permitted, subject to written approval. Please contact us if in doubt. Any such changes should be made as manual hand-written amendments in your scripts or loose-leaf addendums, so it is clear they are not part of the original script by the stated author. In some circumstances, where there is good reason for a significant change, we may be able to offer customisation of the script by the author for a small charge.

All our pantomimes are fully protected under international copyright laws, so photocopying is not allowed. However, the price of our top quality A4 scripts is extremely competitive and includes all postage and packing within the UK. Otherwise, you now have the choice of purchasing a printable PDF master copy (with permission to print all scripts required for one licensed production only).

Yes, like any other copyright script, you must apply for a licence before rehearsals commence. Our copyright scripts must not be performed (in whole or in part) without first seeking permission and obtaining a licence from Stage Right Creative Limited, nor may they be represented as your own. Please also see “Do we have to pay performance royalties?”

Yes, like any other copyright script, you must apply for a licence and pay the royalty fee, in advance, for each and every performance, public or private, whether the audience is paying or non-paying. This payment is due, in full, no later than one month prior to the date of the first performance. Please also see “Do we need a licence to perform the script?”

Sorry, yes – you must apply for a licence and pay the royalty fee due, in advance, for each and every performance, public or private, whether the audience is paying or non-paying. Nearly all our regular clients hold charity performances or raise money for charity, so it would be unfair on them for us to consider individual requests in this respect. Like the users of our scripts, Stage Right Creative Ltd donates money to good causes, sometimes in association with our regular clients, but it is up to you to decide whether or not to donate a performance or offer discounts to your chosen charity, at your cost.

Only excerpts, which you can find by going to the page for each pantomime title. However, you can order full reading copies easily through this website. Most of our clients prefer to read and circulate printed scripts, available brand new at our normal low price. These do not need to be returned, so if you go ahead with a production, you’ll already have one of your show scripts. Otherwise, you can now order non-printable PDF copies to read for a very small cost. If you pay online, you can receive your copy by return and start reading straight away!

The overall duration very much depends upon the choice and length of your musical numbers, which is out of our control. Whilst our scripts are packed full with more “content” than most, all our pantomimes are designed to last approximately two hours (plus an interval) and have been performed on numerous occasions within this time (sometimes even shorter). However, this relies upon taking our advice to keep musical numbers short (probably omitting some of the optional ones) and continuity tight. It is also important to keep the pre-finale “Song Sheet” scene down to a minimum, avoiding unnecessary repeats of the song and endless “shout-outs”. Of course, if you like a longer duration, you can tailor your musical numbers and pre-finale scene accordingly. Usually, Act I is slightly longer than Act II, as there’s nothing worse than an audience getting restless towards the end!

Yes, for a small cost, we can issue a licence for you to record your production on video or DVD, providing you state this intention on your application form or notify us about it in advance of your performances. This is for amateur use within the group and private viewing only and does not cover broadcast, public screening or re-sale of copies to the public, nor does it allow any part of the production to be uploaded to websites, social media or video sharing sites (including YouTube and Facebook).

Sorry, no. Firstly, you would need to apply for a DVD licence before recording your pantomime, but even then, this does not allow any part of the production to be uploaded to websites, social media or video sharing sites (including YouTube and Facebook). The reason for this is that we know some groups copy such content and use it without a licence, which would be unfair on us … and you!

Yes, we offer a 10% discount on the total cost of all show scripts (and Sound FX CD) when you order 16 or more printed scripts. What’s more, the price of our top quality A4 scripts is already extremely competitive and includes all postage and packing within the UK!

Sorry, no – only on the cost of show scripts. Our performance rates are already extremely competitive and we haven’t had any price increases in the last 16 years. Some of our regular clients have used our scripts for 15 successive seasons and it would be unfair on them for us to consider individual requests in this respect.

You can pay online using PayPal or credit card through our shopping cart. Otherwise, for those who prefer not to pay online, you can place an order for which we will email you an invoice, which can then be paid by cheque or online banking. For either of these options, please go to “Reading Copies”.

The cost of scripts is payable in advance or on receipt of invoice. Performance royalties are due, in full, no later than one month prior to the date of the first performance. Please note that, unlike reading copies, we do not accept payment via PayPal or credit card for show script orders or performance royalty fees (due to high commission charges), so we will send an invoice for these, which can then be paid by cheque or online banking.

Yes, all our scripts have been performed numerous times by schools, colleges and youth theatre groups. We also offer the following 4 versions (with slightly simplified scenery and added lines for Chorus members) specifically for such use: Aladdin, Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, Robinson Crusoe & the Pirates and Ali Baba & the Forty Thieves. Please also note that reading copies are for perusal only (in consideration for performance) and must not be photocopied or used purely for educational purposes or class readings without first obtaining permission.

This is the total number of seats available to sell per performance and is the figure upon which the performance royalty fee is based. If there is a good reason which prevents you from selling the full seating capacity of your venue, please contact us to discuss before completing a licence application form.

Yes, like most pantomime scripts, we leave the choice of musical numbers entirely up to you, enabling you to include songs which are familiar to the audience and make best use of the talents of your cast. This is also a good way of “putting your stamp” on the production. However, we do offer a good, varied list of suggestions for each number in every script, although this does not imply permission has been granted for their use or royalties paid. For any copyright music chosen (including the suggestions in the script), it is your responsibility to pay any royalties arising from its performance. The Performing Right Society (PRS) licenses the use of, and collects royalties for, the vast majority of popular music.