Over the course of 2017, London’s theatre industry sold over 15 million tickets – the highest number since records began. According to the Society of London Theatre, this marks unprecedented success for the industry.
As well as the success of world-renowned productions such as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the lower price of the pound relative to other world currencies is thought to have given a boost to London’s tourism sector.
World famous theatre
London West End theatre district has always been one of the world’s most famous cultural hotspots – perhaps second only to New York’s Broadway. And it just so happens that 2017 featured a raft of particularly internationally renowned productions. Of course, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was almost certain to attract an international audience, but Hamlet and Hamilton, as well as London’s long-running famous West End productions, played a significant role too
Kenny Wax, President of the Society of London Theatre, commented: “The box office figures are a testament to the creative strength of London theatre and cements the city’s status as the world’s theatre capital.
“The industry has many reasons to celebrate but must remain cautious as we look ahead to the rest of 2018. It is heartening to have seen growth in audiences for both plays and musicals, however, the year is a tale of two halves with the industry operating in a tougher climate in the final two quarters.”
A great holiday destination
If London wasn’t popular enough already, it’s become even more so in the last two years. Since the price of the pound fell after the 2016 Brexit referendum result, it’s become much cheaper for visitors across Europe and the rest of the world to visit. That’s almost certainly attracted some commerce to the city, and looks to have contributed to the theatre sector’s most successful year on record.
A good time for your short stay in Mayfair?
Though the effect of the post Brexit dip in Sterling looks to be reducing, the pound is still much cheaper to buy against the Euro, and still noticeably so against the US Dollar. If you’re looking for the perfect time to plan your short stay in Mayfair – whether it’s to check out the delights of London’s west end, sample our world-famous galleries and museums, or even our cuisine, then now could well be the best time to do so.