2007 Confirmed As Record Breaking Year For West End

The popular musicals that opened in late 2006 - early 2007 certainly caused a stir in theatreland. Audiences flocked to enjoy the spectacle of Wicked, to experience the warm and fuzzy feel good pleasure of Hairspray, to revel in the pure silliness of Monty Python's Spamalot and to make sure nobody put Baby in a corner in Dirty Dancing.

These smash hit musicals were, at least in part, responsible for an astounding year in the West End. The recently published Society of London Theatre 2007 Box Office Data Report has confirmed that 2007 was not only a good year for London theatre, but a record-breaking one.

Improvements were seen in almost every aspect of the West End, 13,636,540 people attended performances - an astounding 10% increase from 2006. Advance bookings shot up 40% and for the first time ever, total seating capacity sold was over 70%.

Reality TV played a big part in the showstopping number that was 2007. ITV's Grease Is The Word found a new Danny and Sandy for the ever-popular musical, Grease. On the other channel, BBC's Any Dream Will Do uncovered a fresh lead and choir for Joseph. These well advertised shows were massively popular and served to increase awareness of West End theatre among a new, younger audience. 2008's I'd Do Anything is set to further increase West End attendance, interest in the recent revival of Oliver! is amazingly high, largely thanks to the BBC show.

Despite the romping success of musicals in 2007, fringe theatre also enjoyed great success and sell-out performances. Some high profile stars of the big screen trod the boards this year. Ian McKellen starred in the RSC's productions of The Seagull and King Lear. Patrick Stewart blew audiences away in Macbeth, his performance was described by reviews as "the best of his career". Thanks to such well known stars putting in such impressive performances, and with the West End being thrust into the public eye by the ever-popular reality TV genre, now is a good time for theatre.