{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968.json",
  "id": "ukpga/1968/54",
  "title": "Theatres Act 1968",
  "long_title": "An Act to abolish censorship of the theatre and to amend the law in respect of theatres and theatrical performances.",
  "citation": "1968 c. 54",
  "type": "ukpga",
  "year": "1968",
  "number": "54",
  "version": "current",
  "date": "1968-07-26",
  "revised": true,
  "valid_from": "2021-01-27",
  "extent": "E+W+S",
  "unapplied_effects": 1,
  "provisions": [
    {
      "path": "introduction",
      "kind": "introduction",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Introductory text",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/introduction",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/abolition-of-censorship-of-the-theatre",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Abolition of censorship of the theatre",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/1",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": "Abolition of censorship of the theatre.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/section-1",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/abolition-of-censorship-of-the-theatre"
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/provisions-with-respect-to-performances-of-plays",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Provisions with respect to performances of plays",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/2",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "2",
      "heading": "Prohibition of presentation of obscene performances of plays.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/section-2",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/provisions-with-respect-to-performances-of-plays"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/3",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "3",
      "heading": "Defence of public good.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/section-3",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/provisions-with-respect-to-performances-of-plays"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/4",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "4",
      "heading": "Amendment of law of defamation.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/section-4",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/provisions-with-respect-to-performances-of-plays"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/5",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "5",
      "heading": ". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/section-5",
      "extent": null,
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/provisions-with-respect-to-performances-of-plays"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/6",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "6",
      "heading": "Provocation of breach of peace by means of public performance of a play.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/section-6",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/provisions-with-respect-to-performances-of-plays"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/7",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "7",
      "heading": "Exceptions for performances given in certain circumstances.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/section-7",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/provisions-with-respect-to-performances-of-plays"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/8",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "8",
      "heading": "Restriction on institution of proceedings.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/section-8",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/provisions-with-respect-to-performances-of-plays"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/9",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "9",
      "heading": "Script as evidence of what was performed.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/section-9",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/provisions-with-respect-to-performances-of-plays"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/10",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "10",
      "heading": "Power to make copies of scripts.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/section-10",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/provisions-with-respect-to-performances-of-plays"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/11",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "11",
      "heading": "Delivery of scripts of new plays to British Museum.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/section-11",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/provisions-with-respect-to-performances-of-plays"
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/licensing-of-premises-for-public-performance-of-plays",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Licensing of premises for public performance of plays",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/12",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "12",
      "heading": "Licensing of premises for public performance of plays.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/section-12",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/licensing-of-premises-for-public-performance-of-plays"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/13",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "13",
      "heading": "Enforcement of s. 12.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/section-13",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/licensing-of-premises-for-public-performance-of-plays"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/14",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "14",
      "heading": "Appeals in respect of licences.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/section-14",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/licensing-of-premises-for-public-performance-of-plays"
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/miscellaneous-and-general",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Miscellaneous and general",
      "url": null,
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/15",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "15",
      "heading": "Powers of entry and inspection.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/section-15",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/miscellaneous-and-general"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/16",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "16",
      "heading": "Offences by bodies corporate.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/section-16",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/miscellaneous-and-general"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/17",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "17",
      "heading": "Existing letters patent.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/section-17",
      "extent": null,
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/miscellaneous-and-general"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/18",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "18",
      "heading": "Interpretation.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/section-18",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/miscellaneous-and-general"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/18A",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "18A",
      "heading": "Meaning of promotion for private gain.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/section-18A",
      "extent": "E+W",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/miscellaneous-and-general"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/19",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "19",
      "heading": "†Consequential amendments, repeals and transitional provisions.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/section-19",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/miscellaneous-and-general"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/20",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "20",
      "heading": "Short title, commencement, extent and application to Isles of Scilly.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/section-20",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/miscellaneous-and-general"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/1",
      "kind": "schedule",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": "Provisions with respect to Licences",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/1/crossheading/grant-renewal-and-transfer-of-licences",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Grant, renewal and transfer of licences",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/1"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/1/paragraph/1",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/schedule-1/paragraph-1",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule/1/crossheading/grant-renewal-and-transfer-of-licences"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/1/crossheading/notice-in-respect-of-applications-for-grant-renewal-or-transfer-of-licences",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Notice in respect of applications for grant, renewal or transfer of licences",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
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    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/1/paragraph/2",
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      "heading": null,
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      "extent": null,
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    {
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      "heading": "Fees",
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    },
    {
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    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/1/crossheading/transmission-of-licence-on-death-of-holder",
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      "heading": "Transmission of licence on death of holder",
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    },
    {
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    {
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    },
    {
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    {
      "path": "schedule/3",
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      "heading": ". . .",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/theatres-act-1968/schedule-3",
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    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [
    {
      "type": "words repealed",
      "affected_provisions": "s. 13(3)",
      "affecting": "ukpga/2003/44",
      "affecting_title": "Criminal Justice Act 2003",
      "affecting_provisions": "Sch. 37 Pt. 9"
    }
  ],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/54",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T10:53:06.699904+00:00",
    "licence": "OGL-UK-3.0",
    "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
    "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
  }
}