Variety On London Theatre's 'HAMLET' Boosted Box Office

Variety reports that London theater attendance and box office receipts have risen to record-breaking heights for the third year in succession, despite the expected fears brought on by the economic downturn.

Figures released by the Society of London Theaters (SOLT) for the first six months of 2009 (Jan. 1-July 18) show attendance up 2.5% and box office receipts up 3.5% over the same period last year according to the Variety article. All types of productions are doing well, but the major success story is with dramatic plays.

Of the total attendance of 6,998,919 theatergoers so far, plays accounted for 1,886,586. That's a quarter of all theater visits and a rise of 19% year-over-year. The Donmar's low-price, star-driven West End season (with a top pricetag £32, or $54), including the Broadway-bound HAMLET starring Jude Law and strong revivals of classics such as "A View From the Bridge" and "Arcadia" have helped boost the sector.

Musicals, though, remain the most popular stage genre, with 4,696,211 attendees accounting for 61% of the total. The "recession-defying" numbers in the UK mirror the boffo performance of Broadway grosses during the 2008-09 season. To read the entire article click here.

HAMLET is currently playing at Wyndham's Theatre in London's West End, where it completes its sold out run on August 22. It then travels to Kronberg Castle, Elsinore, for a sold out run from August 25-30, prior to Broadway.

In Shakespeare's definitive tragedy, the King of Denmark is dead. Consumed with grief, Prince Hamlet (Jude Law) determines to avenge his father's death with devastating consequences for his family and the kingdom.

Hamlet is produced on Broadway by Arielle Tepper Madover. The production is designed byChristopher Oram, with lighting design by Neil Austin. Composer and sound designer is Adam Cork.

Performances are Tuesday at 7:00 PM, Wednesday at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM, Thursday and Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday at 2:00 and 8:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM. Tickets ($116.50 - $25) are available through Telecharge.com at 212-239-6200 or www.telecharge.com.

As part of the Donmar's commitment to greater accessibility, producer Arielle Tepper Madover has announced that more than 100 tickets priced at $25 will be available at every performance through Telecharge.com and the Broadhurst Theatre box office. For more information, vist www.HamletBroadway.com.

Photo by Johan Persson