Top tickets for most West End shows cost more than £100 each

THE majority of West End shows are now charging more than £100 for the best seats, a survey has revealed.

Out of 37 commercial shows, 20 have top-price tickets that cost over £100, according to a poll by The Stage.

JK Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child increased ticket prices by £55 over the past 12 months, while The Lion King musical increased prices for its best seats by almost £25.

Theatregoers who want to see either production could now fork out up to £125. The Book of Mormon, the most expensive musical for the third year running, charges £202.

The cheapest tickets at a West End show now cost on average just over

£21, the poll also found.

Jamie Lloyd, an acclaimed British director best known for hit play Doctor Faustus, starring Kit Harrington, has previously told The Telegraph that £100 for a ticket was “far too much” and claimed prices were spiralling out of control.

He said: “Theatre should be for everyone, regardless of their background. Producers and companies who let prices spiral out of control send out a message that theatre is a luxury experience, which is deeply problematic.

“We have worked to ensure that our premium and top price tickets are significantly lower than other commercial projects, and we’ve done that consistently over the last few years, whilst other companies have been happy to push prices higher.”

Many theatres now offer cut-price tickets to those who book early, while others reduce prices for different age groups.

Sonia Friedman Productions, which produces The Book of Mormon, defended its ticket costs to The Stage and said there were also accessibly priced tickets available.

A spokesman said: “We continue to be firmly committed to ensuring that there is always a number of accessibly priced tickets available in advance and on the day for all productions.”