The Society of London Theatre (SOLT)’s 2022 sales data for its member venues, which includes all commercial West End locations and London’s major subsidised theatres, has shown that ticket pricing stayed consistent this year, despite rising costs. It is the first time SOLT has released a full set of annual figures since 2019, after …
Theatre shows could be impacted by possible industrial action
West End theatre shows could be impacted by industrial action around Easter time, as performers discuss walking out on strike if their pay demands are not met. According to a report from the BBC, performing arts trade union Equity has put in a 17% pay rise request to the Society of London Theatre. Equity told …
Industry bodies react to scrapping of business energy price cap
Industry organisations have reacted to the plans set out by the UK Government to help businesses deal with the inflated energy costs. The government is scrapping the energy price cap for businesses from April 2023 and is instead replacing it with a discount. The new plans will see eligible businesses in the UK receive a …
UK Theatre Awards crowns 2022 winners
The 2022 UK Theatre Awards revealed its winners at a London ceremony yesterday (Sunday), with Leeds Playhouse coming away the most decorated. The theatre won three awards including the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre, Best Design for Laura Hopkins and Simon Wainwright for ‘Dracula: The Untold Story’ and Best Performance in a Musical for Divina de …
Mini-budget a ‘missed opportunity’ to help sector
UK Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng revealed a ‘mini-budget’ today that outlined a series of tax cuts, however members of the creative and entertainment sector feel the support is not enough. While the basic rate of income tax has been cut, the 45% top rate of tax for higher earners has been abolished, and an increase in …
Former UK Theatre executive director launches data-driven consultancy
David Brownlee, the former UK Theatre executive director, has launched Data Culture Change, a data-driven consultancy to help the cultural sector maximise its use of data. Planned products for the new consultancy include catchment analysis, data-led reviews, big data analysis, bespoke consulting, sales review and training, product development and benchmarking. The consultancy began operating in …
People on the move: Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre and more…
We round up the latest movements from the ticketing sector and associated industries… Claire Walker (pictured left) and Hannah Essex (pictured right) have been appointed joint chief executives of the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre. Walker and Essex are currently co-executive directors at the British Chambers of Commerce and have over 40 …
SOLT, UK Theatre and Baker Richards team up for The Evidence Centre
Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre have partnered with data and insight company Baker Richards to develop a new ‘Evidence Centre’. The Evidence Centre will utilise technology to aggregate data from different sources, including theatre box office/CRM systems, which will enable the two membership associations to analyse the data at a granular level. …
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 …
People on the move: AXS Europe, Arsenal and more…
We round up the latest movements from the ticketing sector and associated industries… Ticketing company AXS Europe has announced that Jonathan Lack has been appointed to the position of head of account management. Lack has 15 years of experience within the ticketing industry, including roles at The O2 in London, Ticketmaster UK and Schottenstein Center in Columbus, …