Sales revenues from West End shows in 2004 were at their highest levels since records began in the 1980s, according to the latest figures from the Society of London Theatre (SOLT). The year also saw the second highest ever attendance figures with nearly 12m visitors recorded at the 52 large central London theatres.
The opening of major new musicals such as The Producers, The Woman in White (pictured) and Mary Poppins have been credited with much of the growth in box office returns. Criticism has recently been levelled at the new musical Acorn Antiques, which opened last week with top ticket prices of £65 each ? believed to be the highest ever seat prices in the West End. But Richard Pulford, Chief Executive of SOLT, said, ?With a 3% rise in audiences and a 6% rise in income [the figures] indicate that ticket prices on average rose by no more than inflation.?