Theatre ticket prices in London’s West End are expected to cost a lot more than before Covid-19 hit.
With the cost-of-living crisis looming over the world, the entertainment industry is going to be majorly affected.
Whether people decide to go to a local show or a big West End production. The way they go about it will change.
‘Deadline’ said that the average ticket price has risen from £116 to £140 in four years. West end tickets are expected to cost 21% more than before the pandemic.
This luxury hobby will see a huge downfall in attendance as people will prioritise necessities over expensive items.
Rae Alexander, a 21-year-old studying acting at Arts University Bournemouth said: “As someone who works in theatre, I can confirm that the number of attendants has changed recently due to the pandemic as well as the cost-of-living crisis.”
She also said that people who attend the more expensive shows have started to behave in an elitist fashion.
A couple from Oxford said: “People who would usually take their child to see a pantomime will think twice about it unless companies reduce their prices.”
They also commented on how local shows are good as there is something nice about having one on your doorstep and not paying to travel far.
There are a few pantomimes happening in the Bournemouth area this Christmas time. The Lighthouse Centre in Poole is putting on a Cinderella pantomime. The tickets start from £14. Many people have said that they would be happy to pay this price for a local show.
Elspeth McBain, a worker at Lighthouse Poole Centre of the Arts, said: “We are about 15% down on where we would be in a normal year”. She added: “Ee had to quickly find solutions to enable us to carry on during both the pandemic and cost of living crisis”.
21-year-old Lauren Burgees, Norton Road said: “I think local shows can definitely bring small communities together, especially for people who have friends and family in the shows.”
Not only will the companies and organisations be at risk, but the actors and performers may be at risk of losing their jobs.
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