Theatre News

London theatres remain resilient in Olympic downturn with record box office revenues

By Emily Goddard

By Emily Goddard

February 4 - London's theatres took £530 million ($834 million/€616 million) in 2012, defying the Olympic downturn experienced by so many other industries to achieve their ninth successive year of record box office returns and avoid the "bloodbath" predicted by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Kids Week ticket sales hit record high

By Lauren Mattera

July 15 - The Society of London Theatre's (SOLT) initiative Kids Week has sold more than 74,000 tickets in less than a month – smashing every record in its 15-year history.

New play recalling notorious 1936 Berlin Games brings Olympic values into sharp focus

By Lauren Mattera

July 14 - In under two weeks' time, London showcases the largest sporting event in the world – and Tom McNab wants to use this opportunity to impress upon people the importance of the Olympic ideals through his play 1936, a powerful examination of the controversial Berlin Games, which is set to hit London theatres.

I want London 2012 visitors to be my audience, says Blackwood

By Lauren Mattera

July 3 - With less than a month to go until the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, Richard Blackwood and fellow members of the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) are getting into the Olympic spirit and revealing what the Games mean to them.

West End Live 2012 to kick off at London's Trafalgar Square ahead of the Games

By Lauren Mattera

June 21 - West End Live 2012, London's free jam packed theatrical weekend, kicks off this Saturday at Trafalgar Square and will feature sample performances from every single musical currently playing in the West End, coinciding with the London 2012 Festival which officially began today.

Kids Week offers youngsters chance to visit theatre during London 2012

By Emily Goddard

By Lauren Mattera at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London

June 11 - More than 1,000 school children attended the launch of Society of London Theatre's (SOLT) Kids Week ticket sales here today timed to coincide with the start of next month's Olympics as the event marked its 15th anniversary of giving youngsters the chance to go free to top shows in the summer.

Daldry urges public to visit West End Theatre during London 2012

By Emily Goddard

By Tom Degun at Trafalgar Square in London

April 18 - London 2012 Ceremonies executive producer Stephen Daldry has urged people attending the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer to take the opportunity to visit West End Theatre which he describes as the best in the world.

Make the most of London's summer like no other with a Theatreland tour

By Emily Goddard

By David Gold

April 4 - The Society of London Theatre's (SOLT) annual season of Theatreland Walking Tours is now open for those wishing to take advantage of the "Summer Like No Other" in London this year, as the Olympic and Paralympic Games arrive.

Official London Theatre commemorative pins for London 2012 launched

By Duncan Mackay

By Emily Goddard

March 30 - To celebrate the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, the Official London Theatre have produced a Don't Miss The Real Show commemorative pin.