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| West End ticket sales hit £528m in 2011 | West End ticket sales hit £528m in 2011 |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| The West End enjoyed record box office sales in 2011 for an eighth consecutive year, according to figures released by the Society of London Theatre (Solt). | The West End enjoyed record box office sales in 2011 for an eighth consecutive year, according to figures released by the Society of London Theatre (Solt). |
| Takings topped £528.3m in 2011 - up 3.1% on a like-for-like basis on the previous year. | Takings topped £528.3m in 2011 - up 3.1% on a like-for-like basis on the previous year. |
| Due to the closure of a number of theatres while new shows were set up, the overall attendance was 13.9m - down 1.73% on 2010. | Due to the closure of a number of theatres while new shows were set up, the overall attendance was 13.9m - down 1.73% on 2010. |
| According to Solt, though, the average audience at each performance was up. | According to Solt, though, the average audience at each performance was up. |
| The Society said the growth in sales could be attributed to sell-out productions such as Matilda the Musical and the continued success of Les Miserables, now in its 26th year. | The Society said the growth in sales could be attributed to sell-out productions such as Matilda the Musical and the continued success of Les Miserables, now in its 26th year. |
| Play revenue also received a 10% boost thanks to such sold-out productions as Frankenstein, Richard III, Jerusalem and One Man, Two Guvnors. | Play revenue also received a 10% boost thanks to such sold-out productions as Frankenstein, Richard III, Jerusalem and One Man, Two Guvnors. |
| Last year saw several of London's bigger theatres welcome such major new productions as The Wizard of Oz, Shrek the Musical and Rock of Ages. | Last year saw several of London's bigger theatres welcome such major new productions as The Wizard of Oz, Shrek the Musical and Rock of Ages. |
| Solt said this led to an unusually high number of "dark" weeks - when theatres are closed to the public - while set installations took place, causing a fall in overall attendance. | Solt said this led to an unusually high number of "dark" weeks - when theatres are closed to the public - while set installations took place, causing a fall in overall attendance. |
| Last year saw 146 dark weeks, when there were only 85 in 2010. | Last year saw 146 dark weeks, when there were only 85 in 2010. |
| "We are extremely proud that our theatres have yet again gone on to achieve another record-breaking year of sales," said Solt president Mark Rubinstein. | "We are extremely proud that our theatres have yet again gone on to achieve another record-breaking year of sales," said Solt president Mark Rubinstein. |
| "Despite the prevailing rigours of the economic climate, theatre-goers have acted with their feet and wallets." | "Despite the prevailing rigours of the economic climate, theatre-goers have acted with their feet and wallets." |
| The figures relate to the theatres represented in membership of the Society of London Theatre, which include all the commercial West End houses. | The figures relate to the theatres represented in membership of the Society of London Theatre, which include all the commercial West End houses. |