London Theatre Celebrates a Record-Breaking 2006

London Theatre Guide reports that London had a record-breaking theatrical year in 2006.

According to the article, "A total of 12,357,153 trips were made to see a London show, 0.48% more than the previous record set in 2005. Total ticket revenue topped £400 million for the first time in the West End's history, with a total of £400,802,809, and advanced ticket bookings totalled £57 million, more than doubling the figure for 2005." 

The statistics were released by the Society of London Theatre. "At the six month mark, the industry was braced for a very tough 2006 with audience numbers – and in particular visitor numbers to London – still depressed from the difficult days of the previous year. That the industry has bounced back so spectacularly gives us great hope for the future – and a great boost to the London economy," stated SOLT President Rosemary Squire.

Among the new shows boosting West End theatre box offices were revivals like The Sound of Music and Evita, as well as Broadway transfers like Monty Python's Spamalot and Wicked, and the new Australian-born musical Dirty Dancing, based off the smash movie.

It was also reported at the end of last year that Broadway's yearly box office was poised to set a new record, with over $900 million dollars earned.