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The Independent
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Why West End's biggest stars are drawn to the East
London's Chinatown is in the middle of the British capital city, but it is also at the heart of another very distinctive city within a city: Theatreland. According to trade association the Society of London Theatre, for every one pound spent on a ticket, an additional 1.27 pounds are spent at local businesses such as hotels and restaurants, and with 17.1 million people attending West End shows in 2024, the West End's economic contribution to city life, as well as its cultural one, is huge. As well as being popular with locals, 24 per cent of all overseas visitors to London go to see a show, and with travellers from China making up a significant number of the capital's visitors, and being among its biggest spenders, a lot of those seats will be occupied by Chinese tourists. So it is no surprise that, increasingly frequently, West End producers and performers are looking to build on that interest by performing in China. Matilda, based on the Roald Dahl story about a book-loving young girl with magic powers, and the hugely popular The Phantom of the Opera are two shows that have recently toured China, to great acclaim. Two more award-winning hits that recently came to Shanghai Culture Square are Six and Life of Pi. Six is an all-female pop musical, telling the story of the six wives of England's 16th century king Henry VIII, and Life of Pi is a visually stunning staging of Yann Martel's best-selling book, also an Oscar-winning movie, about a boy who survives a shipwreck. Tom de Keyser is chief executive of Royo, a production company with offices in London and Shanghai, that has taken Life of Pi, and also the thriller Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, around China. He said top class facilities, a rich local heritage and enthusiastic audiences made China one of the most exciting places in the world to operate. 'A few years ago, you'd only have played Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, but now a lot of second-tier cities have developed fantastic state-of-the-art modern theatres and have built up a real appetite for high-quality theatre, so we will now tour for 10-14 weeks, across many different cities, whereas previously we'd only have done two or three weeks.' Shanghai is a particular magnet for touring shows, and De Keyser called its principal venues, Shanghai Culture Square and the Shanghai Grand Theatre, 'two of the most magnificent state-of-the-art theatres I've ever seen anywhere in the world'. Someone who has had a chance to see Chinese audiences up close and can compare them to those in the West End and on New York's Broadway is performer and recording artist Kerry Ellis, known as the Queen of the West End. 'What I love about our industry is you can connect with people whether you speak the language or not, so I love to travel and perform all over the world and China is up there with my favourite places,' she said. Serin Kasif is business development director at Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group, which has been taking his shows and productions to China for more than 20 years. She said the company's relations with local producers such as SMG Live were vital to its touring success in China. 'For a show like Phantom, the decision on where we go and for how long is made very closely with our partners — we don't pretend to know what Chinese audiences want, which is why we work with producers and venues on what they want, we're in constant conversation to find what is the best fit,' she explained. Like the Really Useful Group, Royo also foresees a busy future in China. But in a nod to its roots in two countries approach, there is the prospect of some of China's top performers making the reverse journey. 'What shows we can bring here is something we do discuss a lot,' said De Keyser. 'For many years, London has been a hub of some of the world's best theatre so I think there would be real interest in bringing Chinese theatre here, partly for the Chinese population, but also because of so many British people's interest in a culture as rich as China's.'
Time Out
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Kids and teens can get free theatre tickets all summer as London Kids Week booking opens for 2025
The school summer holidays are famously a nightmarish month-and-a-half of trying to amuse children unaware of the fact that you're desperately trying to keep them entertained during a break that is longer than all your annual leave put together. Still, there are some bright spots, especially living in London, and a big one is London Kids Week. Run by the Society of London Theatre, it's nothing so vulgar as 'a sale', but is rather an initiative to get children into a theatre during the school hols by offering under-18s free tickets when accompanied by a paying adult. In addition, up to two further children's tickets can be booked at half price by the same adult. It's a damn good deal with no real catch (there isn't even a booking fee), beyond the fact that inventory is limited, although rarely massively so. Get in early, though, and you might be able to snag (free) tickets to one of the special workshops or other activities laid on as part of the 'week', which you can book for now and runs the length of the summer hols, from July 21 to August 31 (a strange definition of 'week' but whatever). It's always a good showing and runs the gamut from full on kids' theatre like The Smeds and the Smoos and The Tiger Who Came to Tea – clearly aimed at younger audiences – to much more adult fare like Stranger Things: The First Shadow and the Rachel Zegler-starring Evita that will theoretically allow you to impress teens at an affordable price. To book, and for the full list of shows – which includes the liked of Wicked, Tina and Mamma Mia! – head over to here to book. The best kids' theatre in London.
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."
Business Mayor
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
New report says ‘government must act' to ease pressures on British theatres
A report by the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre, released on Thursday, puts the spotlight on an industry struggling with rocketing production costs and in need of urgent funding. The sister trade associations have called for the government's comprehensive spending review to dramatically increase public investment, including £500m for infrastructure, and to support its Theatre for Every Child initiative which aims to ensure all pupils attend a professional theatre production before leaving school. The organisations' co-CEOs, Claire Walker and Hannah Essex, said: '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.' The report, drawing on information from theatres that are members of the two organisations, states that one in five venues 'require at least £5m over the next decade simply to remain operational'. Without substantial capital funding, nearly 40% 'could close or become unusable'. Roughly one in four organisations ran a deficit in 2023–24, and almost one-third project a shortfall in the subsequent financial year. Since 2010, funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has fallen by 18% per person in real terms, notes the report, while local authority support has declined by as much as 48%. 'Years of decline in creative education and underinvestment in skills training have left theatres struggling to recruit and retain staff,' it adds, with almost half of theatre leaders saying that new hires lack the necessary skills, particularly in technical roles. Read More Biden cancels $9 billion in student debt for 125,000 borrowers Against this backdrop, and the challenges of the pandemic and cost of living crisis, the two organisations' member theatres drew audiences in excess of 37 million in 2024. Its West End venues 'surpassed 17.1 million attenders [akin to 2023 levels] and generated more than £1bn in revenue'. Data from 48 regional venues shows a 4% increase in occupancy between 2019 and 2024 yet also underlined what regular theatregoers around the UK will have noticed: the number of shows being programmed has, in many cases, dropped in the last five years as theatres prune their schedules amid financial challenges. Bemoaning news headlines about premium ticket prices, the report stated that across the UK most tickets were sold for £39.50 or less (with 19% priced under £20 outside London), while in the West End most were sold at £56 or less. Since 2019, the average West End ticket price has fallen by 5.3% in real terms. Research quoted by the report shows that for every £1 spent on a theatre ticket, 'an additional £1.40 is spent in the local economy', while every pound of public investment returns more than £11 to the Treasury. The report said that the West End's 11% post-pandemic audience growth is unmatched in the UK's entertainment sector and highlighted that, last year, 'nearly one in four international visitors to London attended a West End show – a testament to its global appeal'.
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.'
