# The West End theatre agreement bars using pre-recorded or electronic sound to replace or reduce the live players a show would reasonably use

Page: https://flyvolo.ai/en/changes/ev-20231002-musician-12
Date: 2023-10-02 · Stage: Constraint
Can this record move a task judgement? yes
Occupation: https://flyvolo.ai/en/careers/musician

## Scope

London, United Kingdom. The collective agreement between West End theatre producers and the musicians' union says instruments and devices incorporating pre-recorded sounds or providing sounds by electronic means can be used provided that they do not replace or reduce the engagement of conventional instrumentalists where such players may reasonably be expected to be used, and requires the union's consent for recorded music beyond set limits. Made on 2 October 2023 and running to October 2026. West End theatres only; it says nothing about demand for live music elsewhere or about AI by name.

## Source

- Society of London Theatre and Musicians' Union — Agreement for Musicians working in West End Theatres in London 2023–26 (made on 2 October 2023; the union's own copy) — https://musiciansunion.org.uk/MusiciansUnion/media/resource/Rates%20and%20agreements/Theatre/Agreement-for-Musicians-working-in-West-End-Theatres-in-London-2023-26.pdf (primary source)

## What this means

In West End theatres, recorded or electronic sound may not stand in for live players a show would normally hire.

## What it does not show yet

One city's theatre agreement, renewed every few years.

## How to verify it yourself

Open the Agreement for Musicians working in West End Theatres in London 2023–26 and find "do not replace or reduce the engagement of conventional instrumentalists".


More: https://flyvolo.ai/llms.txt