West End Theatre Industry

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The West End theatre industry has been revealed as an economic powerhouse, bolstering the UK economy with thousands of jobs, millions of pounds of tourist and industry spending, crating significant tax yields and a major balance of payments surplus. The Wyndham Report, published on July 15th 1998, is the first ever investigation into the scale of this blue-chip industry. Written by Tony Travers of the LSE, with data compiled by MORI, the report shows for the first time the massive economic importance of 'Theatre-Land'- the other 'Square Mile' in London on which depends the well-being of hundreds of British companies.

The report reveals that the total economic impact of West End theatres in 1997 was £1,075 million, that 41,000 jobs depend on West End theatre and further that West End theatres contributed a £225 million surplus to the UK's balance of payments in 1997. As a net currency earner for the UK, West End theatre is similar in size to the entire UK advertising,accountancy and management consultancy industries - and significantly bigger than the Uk film and television industry. London remains the theatre capital of the World with more shows and bigger audiences than anywhere else, including Broadway, and the world-wide earnings of the biggest British shows dwarf those of Hollywood blockbuster films.

The Wydham Report was commissioned by the Society of London Theatres (SOLT) to assess the importance of West End Theatre to the London and UK economies. SOLT believes that, although it is currently a vibrant industry, without due recognition and support, it is in danger of losing its permanent position. The warning signs are there - slowing growth, too few new productions, too few young theatregoers and a regional theatre network, which have for some time been under-resources.

How do we safeguard and encourage this major British industry? SOLT believes that is ultimately in the power of National and Local Government and policy making bodies to provide the stimulus to, and remove the brakes from, the future growth of West End theatre. Policy initiatives being looked at by SOLT which could make a difference nation-wide include investment in British theatres and theatre companies. The relentless series of cuts in grants in recent years to both regional and national theatre, opera and dance companies has gone way beyond any possible intentions to cut out waste and drive out inefficiency: the industry is suffering structual damage.

SOLT has also recommended that the Government simplify investment in commercial productions, clearing away the red tape that accompany investment in commercial theatrical productions, and make the tax benefits of doing simpler and clearer for the individual. The Wyndham Report would seem to highlight the disparity between the regions and the West End for it follows hot on the heels of the National Campaign for the Arts' findings that 33 regional theatres are £10 million in debt, that ticket prices have doubled in a decade and that theatres are producing fewer plays than ever before.

Lighting and Sound Internaitonal - September 1998