Are celebrity castings pushing up West End prices?

[macbeth]

Posted: 6/14/24 at 10:48am

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13526835/West-End-Tom-Holland-Romeo-Juliet-Cabaret-Cara-Delevingne-ticket-cost.html

Top-price tickets to musicals and plays in London have risen by 9.3 per cent since 2023, The Stage's annual ticketing survey revealed today.

Still cheaper than here, but yikes!

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 6/14/24 at 12:08pm

Welcome to the Broadway pricing model lol

[binau]

Posted: 6/14/24 at 12:59pm

I don’t even get the point. Obviously to most of the public having one of the most well known movie stars right now (Tom Hollland) is a much more valuable proposition than some random no one knows or cares about. ‘Pushing up’ prices makes it sound like some conspiracy or underhand event going on. No, what’s happening is that audiences are finding more value in these productions and are therefore willing to pay more. This is not just acceptable, it’s expected and how free market economics work. 
 

The real scandal is what happens when one of those celebrities misses a performance. On Broadway, you’d always get a refund. In London, often they will say no refunds and you’re buying the show even if the marketing material suggests otherwise. Glenn Close, Sheridan Smith, Jessie Buckley Taron Egerton etc all examples. 

it’s hilarious to watch those weird people following Lindsay Mendez every move in merrily and complaining what a scandal it is. Well, go up to the box office and ask for a refund. You’ll get it!

The worst is that west end audiences are brainwashed to believe they aren’t entitled for a refund and pretend they love the understudy, even if everyone secretly knows they are disappointed. Or rude box office staff who say that anyone who thinks Taron Egerton being out deserves a refund must not go to theatre very often. I felt like getting out my signed copy of Gypsy from Angela Lansbury and saying there is no way he is going to win this argument on an intellectual level, even if practically there was no recourse. 
 

Taron was a particularly exceptional example. Because of the name of the play ‘cock’ they often could only advertise his name and face. Literally selling Taron. But when they couldn’t deliver on this marketing they stole the money and run. THAT is a scandal and an outrage. People should stop being bullied by these west end producers.

The same producers that also are so cheap the salaries are minimum wage for many of these actors. And we start to understand why London theatre is so cheap - and of lower quality at times in terms of performing than New York - no one can make a living of it. And don’t pretend to be ‘offended’ at this I have west end actors complaining to me about the same thing. 
 

Of course I will forever feel guilty that at its lowest point I saw Lea Salonga and Bernadette Peters in ‘old friends’ for about $20. And I find myself wincing more and more at Broadway prices. But this is an expensive art form and we need to pay for it. There is a reason mass market TV and film is so cheap - if you film something once and distribute it for practically free to millions of people it’s practically free to consume. 
 

Theatre costs a lot because it is expensive to produce - it’s expensive to spend so much money on this real estate especially in New York because the opportunity cost is enormous. You could build hotels, shopping centres, casinos and make much more money. The real estate is premium and therefore commands a premium. 
 

It also costs a lot of money for armies of actors, creatives, backstage, support staff etc. run a show live 8 times a week. And if we can’t pay them they will have to go to careers that do pay more, resulting in lower quality talent.