London 2010 theater revenues up, attendances slip

LONDON (Reuters) - London theater revenues rose 1.5 percent in 2010 to a record 512 million pounds ($817 million), but attendances slipped 0.8 percent to 14.2 million versus 2009 levels, official figures showed on Thursday.

The Society of London Theater (SOLT), which represents 52 major commercial and grant-aided theatres in the city, called it "another great year."

"Despite economic woes, volcanic ash, and huge transport disruption notably during our busiest time of the year at Christmas, we have managed our seventh successive year of growth at the box office," SOLT president Nica Burns said.

SOLT estimated that London ticket sales last year generated 76 million pounds in VAT receipts for the government

Among the highlights on London's stages last year were "The Mousetrap" entering its 59th year and extending its position as the world's longest running show. During the past year it also reached 24,000 performances.

"War Horse" broke several records in 2010, and played to 97 percent capacity throughout the year.

And "Wicked" celebrated a new West End box office milestone for the week commencing December 27, 2010, grossing just over 1.0 million pounds, the highest single-week gross in London theater history.

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White, editing by Paul Casciato)