We round up the latest movements from the ticketing sector and associated industries… Veteran music promoter Carlo Parodi has been elected president of Assomusica, the group that represents Italy’s live music scene. Parodi is the permanent replacement for Vincenzo Spera, who was tragically killed in a vehicle collision earlier this year. Paolo De Biasi had …
London’s SOLT names Kash Bennett as next president
National Theatre Productions managing director Kash Bennett has been named as the next president of Society of London Theatre (SOLT). Bennett will serve as vice president until next year, when she will take over from current president, Eleanor Lloyd. Bennett has held her current role at National Theatre for seven years and been a board …
Theatres, cinemas and attractions to close on Monday for Queen’s funeral
Theatres and cinemas are set to close in the UK on Monday, as the day has been marked for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. The Queen died at the age of 96 on Thursday last week, with the Monday also serving as a bank holiday in the UK. A number of events were cancelled in light …
West End workers agree to revised SOLT pay offer
Backstage and front-of-house workers on the West End have accepted a revised pay offer from the Society of London Theatre (SOLT). The new deal includes a 10% increase to minimum pay rates, as well as a number of revisions in the SOLT/Bectu Collective Bargaining Agreement. This covers pay and working conditions for front-of-house and backstage …
West End’s Kids Week launches with sales frenzy
The West End’s annual Kids Week campaign has outperformed pre-pandemic levels with more than 113,000 tickets sold in the first 24 hours. Kids Week allows kids to go free to a variety of West End shows throughout August, when accompanied by a full paying adult. Day one sales exceeded 2019 figures, with 175,000 tickets still …
West End Live reveals initial line up
West End Live will return to Trafalgar Square in late June, with some 34 hit West End shows having been announced for the line-up so far. The free and unticketed event celebrates London’s world-class theatre scene and will transform Trafalgar Square into a theatre-lover’s paradise on June 25 and 26. Fans will be able to …
SOLT publication calls for more protection of London’s historic theatres
A report published by urban design specialists Publica and commissioned by Society of London Theatres (SOLT) has revealed the needs of London’s historic theatres that must be addressed, in order to continue their recovery post-pandemic. ‘A Call to Action – Securing the Future of London’s Theatres’ highlights the operational and access requirements of the theatre …
Industry reacts to removal of ‘Plan B’ restrictions in England
Industry figures have reacted to the news that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is removing ‘Plan B’ restrictions in England from Thursday next week. ‘Plan B’ constituted wearing masks inside venues, theatre and at events, and also presenting proof of vaccination against COVID-19 through a COVID pass upon entry. While these measures will no longer …
Official London Theatre opens 2022 with biggest ever new year sale
London’s West End is beginning 2022 with a new marketing campaign backed by tickets for as little as £10 for more than 50 shows. Official London Theatre (OLT), the ticket platform run by the Society Of London Theatre (SOLT), has announced what it describes as its biggest ever new year sale with tickets at price …
Curtains drop on West End shows due to Omicron variant
London’s West End is continuing to be affected by the spread of the Omicron variant, after almost half of the capital’s major theatres had to cancel performances because of Covid infections. Of the 46 full members of the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) that had planned to perform shows at the weekend, 22 were forced …