Are There Too Many Musicals in the West End?
Are there too many musicals in the West End?
(I am writing in support of Michael Billington’s article, ‘ This West End Theatre boom is not all good news’ However throughout my article I will analyze the benefits and draw back for the current state of the west end and where it could go in the future.)
Throughout this year 2012 the West End has comprised of 42 commercial theatres 32 of these have put on musical productions as opposed to traditional plays (1). Compared to a year ago when the article in question, ‘The West End theatre boom is not all good news’ was written there were 20 musicals in the West End. Many critics are asking why such a high percentage of musicals are showing as opposed to traditional plays, is it due to financial reason? Such as higher profit margins for musicals even though investment is larger, or the ease of producing a spin-off as opposed to the creativity of a new play where there is no current defined market? Increasing the risk of the investment.
Looking at the West End from a quantitative viewpoint it is hard to see why there is speculation over its future, total revenues rose from 512m in 2010 to 528m(2) in 2011 a 4% increase. It was stated in the article in question that, “Audiences, in spite of recession and the cold snap, also held steady at 14.1 million”(4) Which the Society of London Theatre Box office data report shows us this is the first in 4 years where a record high has not been set (5). Indicating that although fallen slightly demand is still high, which provides a logical reason for the theatre owners such as Cameron Macintosh and others to put on musical productions as they can have a long life in the West End such as Le Miserable that is in its 27th year of running (6) Another in its 10th year at the Dominion Theatre is ‘We Will Rock You’ which I went to see the other night and was surprised at the theatres 90% approx. capacity on a Monday night, perhaps show this owes its longevity and success to its
(I am writing in support of Michael Billington’s article, ‘ This West End Theatre boom is not all good news’ However throughout my article I will analyze the benefits and draw back for the current state of the west end and where it could go in the future.)
Throughout this year 2012 the West End has comprised of 42 commercial theatres 32 of these have put on musical productions as opposed to traditional plays (1). Compared to a year ago when the article in question, ‘The West End theatre boom is not all good news’ was written there were 20 musicals in the West End. Many critics are asking why such a high percentage of musicals are showing as opposed to traditional plays, is it due to financial reason? Such as higher profit margins for musicals even though investment is larger, or the ease of producing a spin-off as opposed to the creativity of a new play where there is no current defined market? Increasing the risk of the investment.
Looking at the West End from a quantitative viewpoint it is hard to see why there is speculation over its future, total revenues rose from 512m in 2010 to 528m(2) in 2011 a 4% increase. It was stated in the article in question that, “Audiences, in spite of recession and the cold snap, also held steady at 14.1 million”(4) Which the Society of London Theatre Box office data report shows us this is the first in 4 years where a record high has not been set (5). Indicating that although fallen slightly demand is still high, which provides a logical reason for the theatre owners such as Cameron Macintosh and others to put on musical productions as they can have a long life in the West End such as Le Miserable that is in its 27th year of running (6) Another in its 10th year at the Dominion Theatre is ‘We Will Rock You’ which I went to see the other night and was surprised at the theatres 90% approx. capacity on a Monday night, perhaps show this owes its longevity and success to its
References: (1) http://www.londontheatre.co.uk/londontheatre/whatson/musicals.htm, 2012 West End musicals (2) http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2012/jan/31/west-end-theatre-revenues-rise, Mark Brown, Guardian Article, Jan 2012.