London’s West End...
Westminster is certainly at the core of London’s business sector, but it also plays host to another business culture; the West End. A trip to the capital’s iconic theatre district is a prerequisite. Experience the diversity of lively musicals, brooding plays and belly-aching comedies.
Some of the longstanding shows have been favourites for years; The Mousetrap for example, is the longest running show of any kind in the world, making its debut in 1952. Popular musicals such as Billy Elliot, Les Misérables, Jersey Boys and Phantom of the Opera continue to produce steady revenue, and therefore are established as permanent productions.
As a net currency earner, West End theatre contributes an estimated £2.5 billion to the UK economy and is in fact bigger than the television and film industries. Consequently, London has continued to attract high-profile actors
and actresses for short-term productions that prove to be consistently in high demand. Eagerly anticipated in 2010 is Private Lives, starting on 24 February, starring Kim Catrall and Matthew Macfadyen, Waiting for Godot, starting on 21 January, starring Ian McKellan, and All My Sons, starting on 19 May, starring Zoe Wanamaker and David Suchet.
With the continuously adapting and evolving plethora of productions, theatre in London has never dated and the opportunity to push artistic boundaries is unremitting. Amongst the venues in the West End, The Donmar Warehouse continuously produces critically acclaimed plays, and the well-established Royal Opera House and Royal Albert Hall are two of the city’s premier dance, opera and music venues.
Billy Elliot, Romeo and Juliet and Jersey Boys
Outselling New York’s Broadway with over 13 million visitors each year, the theatre in London remains one of the city’s most popular attractions.
...and the Future Paul James, Commercial Manager of the Society of London Theatre (SOLT)
2008 had the highest ever record of attendances to West End productions, how did this compare to 2009?
Paul James of SOLT
We have high hopes that the figures have risen in 2009. In 2008, we had 13.9 million attendances and we’re confident we exceeded the 14 million mark for 2009. This would be a phenomenal achievement
considering the financial backdrop of the past couple of years. There are also no signs that this growth is over, which is great.
Do you think the new celebrity trend of appearing in the West End has contributed to the industry’s success in recent years?
The trend isn’t actually all that new, even in the 30s, 40s and 50s film stars starred in theatre. Noel Coward and Laurence Olivier for example, started their careers in
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the West End. There is a different skill set required for acting on stage, but if a Hollywood star does well they will raise the profile of the West End.
Why do you think going to a West End show has been such a focal point for tourists visiting London?
There is something of a theatre centre in London. There are 52 theatres close to each other in the West End, so tourists have many different options. The productions just seem to have caught the public’s imagination; not only the upbeat musicals, but it has actually been a particularly fantastic year for plays.
How is the industry planning to expand and develop in the future?
We are very lucky to have so many theatres that have survived in London; the property costs and planning considerations would rule out creating Theatreland today. There are obviously lots of schemes to involve young people in theatre and we also run the 'tkts' booth in Leicester Square that sells half-price tickets. Theatre is becoming more and more accessible for everyone.
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