We have advised Ovation Rights on its acquisition of Sir Richard Stilgoe’s rights in some of the most successful stage musicals of all time, including The Phantom of the Opera and Starlight Express. The transaction represents one of the most significant acquisitions of theatrical rights in recent years, marking a pivotal step in recognising the enduring value of theatrical rights and the legacies behind them.

Founded and led by producer Jamie Hendry and former Amazon executive Philip Green, Ovation Rights introduces the scale and strategy ordinarily seen with music catalogue acquisitions to the creators and rightsholders of major plays and musicals. The company collaborates closely with authors, composers, lyricists and estates, working as custodians to protect legacies, honour artistic visions and passionately champion works.

Our team was led by partners Neil Adleman and Charles Leveque, with support from managing associate Teresa Walker and associates Emma Riggs and David Jones and with partner David Scott advising on corporate tax matters.

On working with Harbottle & Lewis, Jamie Hendry commented: “Working with Harbottle & Lewis has been exceptional throughout this transaction. The team understood the unique nature of theatrical rights acquisitions and provided invaluable guidance as we navigated this deal. Their expertise in entertainment law, combined with their commercial understanding of our vision for Ovation Rights, made them the perfect partners for this acquisition. As we continue to build our portfolio and support artists’ legacies, we know we have trusted advisors who share our commitment to protecting and championing the works that have shaped global theatre.”

Neil Adleman added: “We are delighted to have supported the Ovation Rights team on this groundbreaking acquisition. This transaction demonstrates the significant value and enduring appeal of theatrical rights, and we look forward to seeing Ovation Rights continue to invest in artists and rightsholders as custodians of these remarkable legacies.”

AUTHORS

Neil Adleman Partner

Neil Adleman is a partner and head of the firm’s theatre practice.

Neil Adleman is a partner and head of the firm’s theatre practice.

Neil advises extensively in the theatre sector and is recognised as a leading practitioner both in the UK and abroad. In particular he provides strategic and business advice to players in the theatre and wider entertainment industries.

His clients include leading producers, theatre owners and operators, subsidised sector venues and touring companies. He also advises a number of high profile rights owners in connection with the management and exploitation of their rights across a wide range of media and platforms.

Neil has a prolific international practice, regularly advising in connection with productions opening on Broadway and in other territories worldwide, on transfers from Broadway to the West End and in particular on UK/US financing structures. Productions he has advised on include Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, War Horse, Dear England, The Lehman Trilogy and Wicked.

Neil is Chair of the Peggy Ramsay Foundation, a charity which supports playwrights, and a trustee of Chichester Festival Theatre.

Teresa Walker Managing Associate

Teresa is a managing associate with a broad corporate practice including a particular focus on the creative industries, retail and technology sectors. 

Teresa is a managing associate with a broad corporate practice including a particular focus on the creative industries, retail and technology sectors. 

Teresa advises founders, businesses and investors on a wide range of corporate transactions including mergers and acquisitions, fundraises and investments, joint ventures and shareholder arrangements.

Teresa was an associate in the corporate team at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer before joining Harbottle & Lewis in October 2013.