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It's hilarious ... until you see the show
Jonathan Prynn, Consumer Affairs Editor23 May 2008
Theatre owners who use misleading quotations from critics to promote plays and musicals risk up to two years in prison from next week.
EU laws will make it a criminal offence to hoodwink potential audiences with carefully selected out-of-context quotes - a long-established practice in theatreland.
In one recent example, a West End revival of Guys And Dollswas described as " hilarious" in the blurb. In fact the full review had only said the original Fifties musical was hilarious, whereas the new production "falls somewhat flat".
Lawyers have warned owners and producers they must give careful thought to how they use such quotes. One recent survey suggested up to a third of West End shows are promoted by "praise" from reviewers whose full articles were actually critical.
Andy Millmore, head of advertising and marketing at solicitors Harbottle & Lewis, said: "If comments are taken out of context and cause me to spend £30 on a theatre ticket against my better judgement, that is technically criminal."
The ban on misleading blurbs is in the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, an 18-page document from the EU that represents the biggest overhaul of consumer protection law in Britain for decades.
Article six says "a commercial practice shall be regarded as misleading if it contains false information and is therefore untruthful, or in any way, including overall presentation, deceives or is likely to deceive the average consumer."
Prosecutors would have to prove theatregoers were misled by the practice, called contextomy. If guilty, they could be fined up to £5,000 or face a maximum of two years in prison.
Daniel Astaire, cabinet member for community protection and licensing at Westminster council, said trading standards officers would take action if "misleading endorsements" persuaded theatregoers to part with their money.
He said: "West End theatre is worldrenowned. It is vital to maintain this reputation. We will approach producers to warn them of possible breaches and ask them to desist if we feel there is malpractice. If such advice was ignored, only then would we consider action."
Richard Pulford, chief executive of the Society of London Theatres, said: "The implication is members are doing something now that in the light of this directive will be against the law. But there is very little chance indeed of current practice leading to any problems."
The use of critics' quotes is the subject of a gentleman's agreement between the society and the Circle of Critics.
The directive also tackles other industries with its "blacklist" of 31 dubious practices which include phoney closingdown sales, unsubstantiated medical claims and claims that a product or service is "free" when there are hidden charges.
HOW REVIEWS TURN UP IN THE BLURB
Saturday Night Fever, Apollo Victoria, 2004
Full quote from The Times: "If it's an all-out retro-romp you want, this only fitfully delivers."
Selected extract: "An all-out retro-romp."
Sinatra, London Palladium, 2006
Full quote from The Observer: "For all the energy, razzmatazz and technical wizardry, the audience had been shortchanged."
Selected extract: "Energy, razzmatazz and technical wizardry."
The Hound Of The Baskervilles, Duchess Theatre, 2007
Full quote from The Times: "[Javier] Marzan and his co-stars have the requisite energy and appeal to use the script as an eventual springboard into a more gutbustingly hilarious and liberatingly reckless brand of zaniness. Only then will the show truly levitate."
Selected extract: "Gut-bustingly hilarious and liberatingly reckless brand of zaniness."
When Harry Met Sally, Theatre Royal, Haymarket, 2004
Full quote from Time Out: "Fans of Alyson Hannigan and Luke Perry will be ecstatic - their companions will just have to fake an interest."
Selected extract: "Fans of Alyson Hannigan and Luke Perry will be ecstatic."
Guys And Dolls, Piccadilly Theatre, 2005
Full quote from the Independent on Sunday: "Frank Loesser's great musical from 1950 is hilarious ... Grandage's production often falls somewhat flat."
Selected extract: "Hilarious."
