header-logo header-logo

Home Login E-newsletter About us
02 May 2014
Issue: 7604 / Categories: Case law , Law reports , In Court
printer mail-detail

Injunction—Breach of contract—Personal performance

© Copyright LexisNexis 2026. All Rights Reserved.

Ashworth and others v Royal National Theatre [2014] EWHC 1176 (QB), [2014] All ER (D) 171 (Apr)

Queen’s Bench Division, Cranston J, 15 Apr 2014

The musicians formerly employed by the National Theatre to play in the production of War Horse were not entitled to an injunction requiring them to be returned to the play pending resolution of their action for unfair dismissal, even though they had a serious case to be tried 
on their contractual claim. 

James Laddie QC & Claire Darwin (instructed by Slater & Gordon (UK) LLP) for the claimants. David Reade QC & Jeremy Lewis (instructed by Harbottle & Lewis LLP) for the defendant.

The claimants were all professional musicians. They had been employed by the defendant, the National Theatre, to perform in the well-known play War Horse. The play involved some recorded and some live music. Production in other countries had involved only recorded music, and after a time the defendant decided only to use recorded music for the London production. In March

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Read All
Sponsored by
NLJ Career Profile: Nikki Bowker, Devonshires

NLJ Career Profile: Nikki Bowker, Devonshires

Nikki Bowker, head of litigation and dispute resolution at Devonshires, on career resilience, diversity in law and channelling Elle Woods when the pressure is on

Ellisons—Sarah Osborne

Ellisons—Sarah Osborne

Leasehold enfranchisement specialist joins residential property team

DWF—Chris Air

DWF—Chris Air

Firm strengthens commercial team in Manchester with partner appointment

NEWS
Read All
NLJ this week: When post-breach events rewrite damages claims
Contract damages are usually assessed at the date of breach—but not always. Writing in NLJ this week, Ian Gascoigne, knowledge lawyer at LexisNexis, examines the growing body of cases where courts have allowed later events to reshape compensation
NLJ this week: Supreme Court redraws unfair prejudice rules
The Supreme Court has restored ‘doctrinal coherence’ to unfair prejudice litigation, writes Natalie Quinlivan, partner at Fieldfisher LLP, in this week' NLJ
NLJ this week: ‘Joe Donor’ ruling exposes dangers of unregulated conception
The High Court’s refusal to recognise a prolific sperm donor as a child’s legal parent has highlighted the risks of informal conception arrangements, according to Liam Hurren, associate at Kingsley Napley, in NLJ this week
NLJ this week: CILEX warns Mazur ruling must spark reform
The Court of Appeal’s decision in Mazur may have settled questions around litigation supervision, but the profession should not simply ‘move on’, argues Jennifer Coupland, CEO of CILEX, in this week's NLJ
NLJ this week: Conditional job offers carry hidden risks for employers
A simple phrase like ‘subject to references’ may not protect employers as much as they think. Writing in NLJ this week, Ian Smith, barrister and emeritus professor of employment law at UEA, analyses recent employment cases showing how conditional job offers can still create binding contracts
Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
back-to-top-scroll