Rights row kills off zombie stage show

A stage show based on Shaun Of The Dead has been axed because of a dispute over rights.

The production has been touring the UK since last year, but its performance at the Hackney Empire in London on Friday was pulled with just a few days' notice after Universal Pictures took legal action.

Almost Legal Productions were sent a 'cease and desist' letter – a warning shot that they would be sued should the zom-rom-com go ahead.

The producers said were working under an understanding that the film giant would not object – but that they revoked that decision over marketing material suggesting the stage version had been endorsed by writers Simon Pegg or Edgar Wright.

Just before one of the preview shows in Gloucestershire last year, Pegg had tweeted a good-luck message to the 40-strong team involved saying: 'Good luck or I should say, lose a leg, to Almost Legal's production of Shaun Of The Dead Live tonight in Stroud.'

In a statement, the producers said: 'We're so sorry that this has happened. Many of us working on the show from behind the scenes and out stage front are devastated. Tears have been shed by many of us.

'The show was pulled last minute because of licensing issues. Originally we were given permission from Universal via Pegg to stage the production and they were going to supply a "gratis license" (free) we continued with the tour in good faith that this was the case.

'Prior to taking the show to London, we received a "cease and desist". After some correspondence they had "no objection" to our production going ahead at Hackney Empire, but they objected to us performing on the West End and at Halloween.

'This meant our last show would be Hackney Empire. Provided that we no longer advertised that it was "official" or "endorsed" by Pegg & Wright. Sadly, some of the advertising had already gone out prior to this email, and though we did our best to cover our tracks and comply with everything, a few days ago they "revoked" their "non objection."'

Administrator Maggie Mayfield told Chortle: 'Everyone is pretty low right now… it's like losing a relative. The stage show had become so much more than the film ever was. The audience above all made it their own.

'It's very sad news for everyone as it was looking to be a sell out at Hackney, and there was a plan to have 100 zombie extras for act 2.'

Originally Chas Burns says he got permission for the new show simply by asking Simon Pegg's assistant. She contacted Working Title and Universal Pictures to gain the rights on the company's behalf – and eventually they said yes, he told Chortle last year. At the time he said: 'It's incredible the interest we've had, people have been waiting for it to happen and we've been lucky enough to find ourselves with the rights.'

The Hackney Empire chief executive Claire Middleton said: 'Shaun of the Dead was booked in good faith with Almost Legal Productions who have been touring the show across the UK since October 2014. There is currently a dispute between Almost Legal Productions and Universal Pictures and Working Title who own the grand rights. We apologise to patrons that have booked tickets.'

Universal Pictures have not yet responded to request for comment; and Pegg's publicist said he had no comment.

Here's a trailer which mentions: 'Almost Legal Productions based here in Stroud, Gloucestershire in the UK, have gained right to stage the theatrical production of Shaun Of The Dead.'

Published: 6 Oct 2015