Latest news with #SOLT
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Rising production costs threatening viability of UK theatre, says report
Rising production costs threatening viability of UK theatre, says report he cost of running and creating theatre has soared, rising "significantly faster than inflation", according to a report into the state of British theatre in 2025 from the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre The London Pavilion in Piccadilly Circus was built in 1885 as a theatre (Image: Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images ) Rising production costs are threatening the viability of UK theatre, a report has said. The cost of running and creating theatre has soared, rising "significantly faster than inflation", according to a report into the state of British theatre in 2025 from the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre. "The economics of theatre are finely balanced. Without strategic support and investment, rising costs threaten the viability of even the most commercially successful productions," it said. The report outlines potential threats to the sector's financial sustainability, including the cumulative effect of rising inflation, heightened international trade tensions and the potential impact of new US tariffs. On Wednesday official figures revealed that UK inflation surged to its highest level for more than a year last month after households were hit by a raft of "awful April" bill increases. In spite of growing costs, members of the SOLT and UK Theatre welcomed more than 37 million audience members in 2024, with the West End surpassing 17.1 million attendees, generating more than £1 billion in revenue for the first time in history, according to the organisations. Article continues below The report estimates that the average price of a West End ticket is 5.3% lower in real terms than in 2019 and says that "most theatre tickets remain affordable". Another issue is investment, with one in five UK venues requiring at least £5 million over the next decade simply to remain operational, according to a 2024 survey from the organisations. Out of the 65 venues surveyed, it was found that nearly 40% of them could close or become unusable in the next five years without substantial capital funding. Rising costs in transport, accommodation, freight and staffing are also affecting domestic touring and the report said these financial pressures are "straining the viability of touring models that rely on lean margins and collaborative delivery". At the same time, audiences are facing their own cost-of-living challenges and this means that "simply raising ticket prices is not a viable solution if theatre is to remain accessible to all". The report said higher-priced tickets help "cross-subsidise lower-cost options, enabling more people to attend while preserving financial sustainability". It also said the Government needs to make a "sustained investment in infrastructure, skills, access and innovation". International productions can also face complex issues, such as trade uncertainty, but the report added that "UK theatre continues to punch above its weight globally". Six The Musical, which has toured across the world, is an example of "the power of UK theatre as a world-leading cultural export", according to the report. SOLT and UK Theatre co-chief executives Claire Walker and Hannah Essex said: "From the West End to regional stages, our members are working harder than ever to keep theatre accessible and inclusive, even as costs rise and funding declines. "But the reality is stark: theatres are doing more with less – and the strain is showing. "Rising costs, shrinking support and ageing infrastructure are putting the sector under unsustainable pressure. Article continues below "We are seeing world-class organisations forced to cut programmes, delay maintenance and scale back outreach. "If we want to maintain the UK's position as a global leader in theatre – and continue to inspire the next generation of actors, writers and technicians – then Government must act. "That means restoring public investment, investing in infrastructure and ensuring that every child can experience the life-changing power of live performance."
Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Theatregoers put off booking shows over long run times
Theatregoers are putting off booking shows in the West End over long run-times, a new report has suggested. A performance time of more than two-and-a-half hours has been cited in a survey of over 20,000 of London's theatre patrons as a factor that discourages them from booking again. Veteran West End producer Patrick Gracey said there are an increasing number of shorter plays on offer now with running times of 75 or 85 minutes instead of 150 minutes. 'I do think audiences enjoy that,' he told The Telegraph, but added that the length 'depends entirely on what is appropriate for that story'. Theatregoers were asked in the survey, conducted by the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre, what factors discouraged them from booking again. More than 22 per cent said longer run times, 21 per cent cited a show without an interval and 24 per cent complained that a lack of public transport options in the evening was an issue. The results form part of SOLT and UK Theatre's 2025 State of British Theatre report, released on Thursday. Mr Gracey, who also serves as chair of SOLT's policy, research and advocacy committee, explained that typically musicals have a longer show time than plays. 'Not a huge number of shows have a run time over two-and-a-half hours, you tend to find more musicals do,' he said. However, he added: 'I don't think run times have changed that much…I think at the end of the day what producers and artists are driven by is what is the best version of this story. 'A night in the theatre can be the most extraordinary thing, no matter how long it is if the story is told well.' Discussing the public transport offering complaint cited in the survey, he blamed a bad 'perception' of the transport system. He explained: 'Over the past few years, we've seen various strikes and other issues with the rail network, and whether or not that is true for most people, it's that perception. 'So what we want to ensure is that moving forward, we hope that we have great transport links, because London does have great transport links that can ensure people feel comfortable coming to town and catching a show.' New figures also revealed that theatre attendance continued at a record high last year, with the West End alone surpassing 17.1 million attendees and generating more than £1billion in revenue for the first time in history. By comparison, the Premier League saw 2.5 million fewer attendees than the West End in the same timeframe. Discussing the positive findings, Mr Gracey said: 'The strength of theatre is that it's one of the few places where you go and sit in a room with a whole lot of other people where you can't be playing with your phone and you get to experience that emotion live. 'I think that's wonderful because cinema attendance hasn't returned to the same level as theatre after post-pandemic… so it says a lot about theatre that that is actually what people go for, that people are willing to spend their money and their time [on it].' The report found that cinema attendance was down by 28 per cent in the UK last year. Mr Gracey said: 'What makes theatre unique, and that difference with cinema, is that live element, being in the room with those actors and experiencing that emotion with a group of strangers is the best thing in the world, and which is why I produce theatre.' In the survey, 84 per cent of respondents said they were more likely to book a show if they had heard about it from friends and family, while 68 per cent said they valued familiarity with source material over recognisable celebrity names performing. Recent star-studded casts in the West End have included celebrities Rami Malek, Tom Holland, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick. Elsewhere, the report found that West End ticket prices have fallen by 5.3 per cent in real terms since 2019, with more than a quarter priced under £35 and fewer than 4 per cent exceeding £150. 'I think that it's down to a combination of great shows and smart pricing,' Mr Gracey said of theatre's record numbers and revenue.
South Wales Guardian
22-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Rising production costs threatening viability of UK theatre, says report
The cost of running and creating theatre has soared, rising 'significantly faster than inflation', according to a report into the state of British theatre in 2025 from the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre. 'The economics of theatre are finely balanced. Without strategic support and investment, rising costs threaten the viability of even the most commercially successful productions,' it said. The report outlines potential threats to the sector's financial sustainability, including the cumulative effect of rising inflation, heightened international trade tensions and the potential impact of new US tariffs. On Wednesday official figures revealed that UK inflation surged to its highest level for more than a year last month after households were hit by a raft of 'awful April' bill increases. In spite of growing costs, members of the SOLT and UK Theatre welcomed more than 37 million audience members in 2024, with the West End surpassing 17.1 million attendees, generating more than £1 billion in revenue for the first time in history, according to the organisations. The report estimates that the average price of a West End ticket is 5.3% lower in real terms than in 2019 and says that 'most theatre tickets remain affordable'. Another issue is investment, with one in five UK venues requiring at least £5 million over the next decade simply to remain operational, according to a 2024 survey from the organisations. Out of the 65 venues surveyed, it was found that nearly 40% of them could close or become unusable in the next five years without substantial capital funding. Rising costs in transport, accommodation, freight and staffing are also affecting domestic touring and the report said these financial pressures are 'straining the viability of touring models that rely on lean margins and collaborative delivery'. At the same time, audiences are facing their own cost-of-living challenges and this means that 'simply raising ticket prices is not a viable solution if theatre is to remain accessible to all'. The report said higher-priced tickets help 'cross-subsidise lower-cost options, enabling more people to attend while preserving financial sustainability'. It also said the Government needs to make a 'sustained investment in infrastructure, skills, access and innovation'. International productions can also face complex issues, such as trade uncertainty, but the report added that 'UK theatre continues to punch above its weight globally'. Six The Musical, which has toured across the world, is an example of 'the power of UK theatre as a world-leading cultural export', according to the report. Jarneia Richard-Noel, Millie O'Connell, Natalie Paris, Alexia McIntosh, Aimie Atkinson and Maiya Quansah-Breed attending the premiere of Six The Musical Live! (Yui Mok/PA) SOLT and UK Theatre co-chief executives Claire Walker and Hannah Essex said: 'From the West End to regional stages, our members are working harder than ever to keep theatre accessible and inclusive, even as costs rise and funding declines. 'But the reality is stark: theatres are doing more with less – and the strain is showing. 'Rising costs, shrinking support and ageing infrastructure are putting the sector under unsustainable pressure. 'We are seeing world-class organisations forced to cut programmes, delay maintenance and scale back outreach. 'If we want to maintain the UK's position as a global leader in theatre – and continue to inspire the next generation of actors, writers and technicians – then Government must act. 'That means restoring public investment, investing in infrastructure and ensuring that every child can experience the life-changing power of live performance.'
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Rising production costs threatening viability of UK theatre, says report
The cost of running and creating theatre has soared, rising 'significantly faster than inflation', according to a report into the state of British theatre in 2025 from the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre. 'The economics of theatre are finely balanced. Without strategic support and investment, rising costs threaten the viability of even the most commercially successful productions,' it said. Simply raising ticket prices is not a viable solution if theatre is to remain accessible to all Report by Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre The report outlines potential threats to the sector's financial sustainability, including the cumulative effect of rising inflation, heightened international trade tensions and the potential impact of new US tariffs. On Wednesday official figures revealed that UK inflation surged to its highest level for more than a year last month after households were hit by a raft of 'awful April' bill increases. In spite of growing costs, members of the SOLT and UK Theatre welcomed more than 37 million audience members in 2024, with the West End surpassing 17.1 million attendees, generating more than £1 billion in revenue for the first time in history, according to the organisations. The report estimates that the average price of a West End ticket is 5.3% lower in real terms than in 2019 and says that 'most theatre tickets remain affordable'. Another issue is investment, with one in five UK venues requiring at least £5 million over the next decade simply to remain operational, according to a 2024 survey from the organisations. Out of the 65 venues surveyed, it was found that nearly 40% of them could close or become unusable in the next five years without substantial capital funding. Rising costs, shrinking support, and ageing infrastructure are putting the sector under unsustainable pressure Claire Walker and Hannah Essex, SOLT and UK Theatre Rising costs in transport, accommodation, freight and staffing are also affecting domestic touring and the report said these financial pressures are 'straining the viability of touring models that rely on lean margins and collaborative delivery'. At the same time, audiences are facing their own cost-of-living challenges and this means that 'simply raising ticket prices is not a viable solution if theatre is to remain accessible to all'. The report said higher-priced tickets help 'cross-subsidise lower-cost options, enabling more people to attend while preserving financial sustainability'. It also said the Government needs to make a 'sustained investment in infrastructure, skills, access and innovation'. International productions can also face complex issues, such as trade uncertainty, but the report added that 'UK theatre continues to punch above its weight globally'. Six The Musical, which has toured across the world, is an example of 'the power of UK theatre as a world-leading cultural export', according to the report. SOLT and UK Theatre co-chief executives Claire Walker and Hannah Essex said: 'From the West End to regional stages, our members are working harder than ever to keep theatre accessible and inclusive, even as costs rise and funding declines. 'But the reality is stark: theatres are doing more with less – and the strain is showing. 'Rising costs, shrinking support and ageing infrastructure are putting the sector under unsustainable pressure. 'We are seeing world-class organisations forced to cut programmes, delay maintenance and scale back outreach. 'If we want to maintain the UK's position as a global leader in theatre – and continue to inspire the next generation of actors, writers and technicians – then Government must act. 'That means restoring public investment, investing in infrastructure and ensuring that every child can experience the life-changing power of live performance.'
Belfast Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Rising production costs threatening viability of UK theatre, says report
The cost of running and creating theatre has soared, rising 'significantly faster than inflation', according to a report into the state of British theatre in 2025 from the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre.
