Previously, groups had to apply to individual local authorities to secure a licence before they could stage these shows. Louise McMullan, head of Equity's general secretary's department, said, "This change is intended in the first instance to free up places like community halls and venues in your local area...This is also really good for people who are trying to travel around and put on shows."
Musical Notes - The classic Oscar-winning film The Third Man is to be made into a musical in Vienna. A major Austrian production company, Vereinigte Buehnen Wien (VBW), says it has secured the rights to make the first musical version of the cult film, set in Vienna just after World War II. The novelist Graham Greene wrote the screenplay for the 1949 film, which features haunting zither music. The German-language musical is expected to be premiered in 2016.
Fan Power - One Direction won the best live act prize at the Silver Clef Awards. The boy band won a public vote beating groups including Coldplay, The Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen. About 26,000 votes were cast in the awards, with One Direction taking a quarter of those.
In Cabaret - Comedian Alexander Armstrong and US singer Michael Feinstein are among the performers lined up to appear as part of the first London Festival of Cabaret which will run from 22 October until 15 November with events taking place in a variety of venues across London. Other acts taking part include Elaine Paige, Maria Friedman and Barb Jungr. Feinstein said, "London has always been a special place with a rich musical heritage, so it's a genuine thrill to be part of the first ever Cabaret Festival." The festival's artistic director Neil Marcus said the inaugural festival places "London as a world leader in this unique art form".
(Jim Evans)
