It’s quite rare to hear a Disney song in a pantomime, have you ever wondered why?
Disney are fiercely protective of their brand, and rightly so, and they have strict regulations on what people can and cannot do with their songs on stage. In most cases it is a straightforward no from Disney if you want to use their songs except for songs from Snow White and Pinocchio, which cannot be used in the context of a pantomime of the same name but can be used out of context. This means, for example, that the dwarfs in Snow White cannot sing ‘Hi Ho’ but if you were putting on a production of Cinderella and could shoe-horn the song in then you would get away with that, if you are able to get through the red tape that is trying to communicate with Disney to get this agreed of course.
The rules are not just restricted to professional pantomimes either, if an am-dram production think they can get away with slipping a Disney number in then they might want to think again, it could be a costly exercise if you risk it and Disney always win in the end. To check on the use if any Disney song you would need to visit www.warnerchappell.com to seek permission. Good luck! To make it clear, no Disney song is covered by a PRS licence.
Disney are not the only company to play hard ball when it comes to using their songs in panto. The hit movie The Greatest Showman may have some of the most memorable and popular songs but when it comes to transferring them onto the stage it is another big no no! Restrictions are in place meaning productions cannot use the songs if the show has a circus setting and they even go as far as to put a restriction on wearing a ringmaster costume whilst performing the hit numbers.
So are there other songs you might struggle to get clearance on to include in panto, oh yes! Songs from Grease and songs by Abba are just as hard to get permission to use and it’s probably not even worth the enquiry, just give them a wide berth.
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SONGS SUITABLE FOR ACT 1 OPENING
A Brand New Day - From The Wiz
One Short Day - From Wicked
Spread the Love Around - From Sister Act The Musical
Something About This Night - From Finding Neverland
FAIRY GODMOTHER SONGS
Magic to Do - From Pippin
Do You Believe In Magic
Once Upon A Time - From Brooklyn
Pure Imagination
DICK WHITTINGTON SONGS
FOR THE SHIP SCENCE.....
Dancing With The Captain
In The Navy
SONGS FOR DICK TO SING....
London Is London
All of London is here Tonight
SONGS FOR KING/QUEEN RAT....
Bat (Rat) Out Of Hell Meatloaf (King Rat)
SONGS FOR DICK AND ALICE TO SING TOGETHER....
All I Have To Do Is Dream
I Only Wanna Be With You
If I Told You - From The Wedding Singer
Right In Front Of Your Eyes - From The Wedding Singer
When You Tell Me That You Love Me
CINDERELLA
(At the Balll) - Cross The Line - Big The Musical
(Prince/Dandini) - Together Wherever We Go
(Cinderella) - In My Own Little Corner
(Prince) - Dancing Through Life - From Wicked
(Prince) - If The World Turned Upside Down
(Buttons) - Knock Three Times
(Buttons) - Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life
(Buttons) - Hi Ho Silver Lining
(Buttons) - Bachelor Boy
(Buttons) - Happiness
(Buttons) - Achy Breaky Heart
(Buttons) - Spread A Little Happiness
(Cinders & Buttons) - Friendship
(Cinders & Buttons) - That's What Friends Are For
(Transformation) - This Is The Moment
(Transformation) - A New Life - From Jekyll & Hyde
PRINCE SONGS
Seize The Day - From Newsies
Stronger - From Finding Neverland
The Climb
It's My Time - Mark Evans
If You're Not The One
SONGS TO USE IN ALADDIN
One Night In Bangkok/Peking - From Chess
Mysterious Cities Of Gold
Shakalakka Baby - From Bombay Dreams
(Aladdin Solo)- Stronger - Finding Neverland
(Princess) - Astonishing - From Little Women
(Aladdin & Princess) - Written In The Stars
SONGS TO USE IN PETER PAN
(Lost Boys) - We're All Made of Stars
(Pirates) - Good Old Captain Hook
(Pirates) - Wolves Of The Sea
(Tiger Lily) - Wig Wam Bam
(Tiger Lily) - Spirits Are Calling My Name
(Peter) - Don't Be Anything Less - Snoopy Musical
(Peter) - I Won't Grow Up
(Peter) - Believe - From Finding Neverland
(Peter) - Neverland - From Finding Neverland
SONGS TO USE IN SNOW WHITE
(Snow White) - Morning Person Shrek The Musical
(Snow White) - I Need A Hero - Bonnie Tyler
(Wicked Queen) Snow White Songs - Mirror Mirror - Dollar
(Prince) - Who I'd Be - From Shrek The Musical
(Prince) - Dare - Stan Bush
(Muddles) - Atmosphere
(In the forest) - Run With Us - The Racoons
SONGS TO USE IN JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
(Jack & Jill) - I Could Easily Fall In Love
(Jack & Jill) - Somewhere Out There
(Jack & Jill) - I Got You - From Bring It On
(Simple Simon) - Fiddlin'
(Simple Simon) - Simon Says
(Jack) - Dare - From Finding Neverland
(Jack realising he loves Jill) This is It
DAME SONGS
Fabulous Baby - From Sister Act The Musical
Dear Future Husband - Meghan Trainor
9 til 5 - Dolly Parton
I Can Cook Too - From On The Town The Musical
Man Wanted - From Copacabana The Musical
Toy Boy - Sinitta
FINALE SONGS
Best Years of Our Lives
Colour My World - From Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Can't Stop The Feeling - From Trolls The Movie
Celebration - Kylie Minogue
It's Your Wedding Day - From The Wedding Singer The Musical
Do You Wanna Dance - From Summer Holiday The Musical
VILLAIN SONGS
In The Dark of the Night - From Anastasia
It Feels So Good To Be Bad- From All Dogs Go To Heaven 2
Ghost Gag suggestions:
Ghostbusters
If there's something strange in you neighborhood
Who you gonna call? (ghostbusters)
If there's something weird
And it don't look good
Who you gonna call? (ghostbusters)
