Show must go on, but at what price?
I AGREE with Christopher Hart that the West End is ‘going broke because it’s gone all woke’ (Mail).
I am a lifelong theatre lover, but am losing interest and now hardly ever go to a show. Apart from the ludicrously high ticket prices, I am fed up with the poor quality of new writing.
Most musicals are based on famous films and have a tuneless score or wellknown pop or rock music bolted on. I find politically correct casting inappropriate and tiresome because I resent being preached to and having to pay for it.
Apart from the high cost of tickets, there are also the booking fees. I live near the Theatre Royal Brighton and used to buy my tickets in person from the box office.
But now the theatre always appears to be closed except when there is a performance and there is a notice outside stating you have to book online — and pay an agent’s fee.
I can see it is a cost saving for the theatre as it means cutting back on staff, but this is an inconvenience and extra expense for theatre-goers.
HENDRIK WOOLF, Hove, E. Sussex. THE West End’s major problem lies elsewhere than wokeism. I have just attended a performance of Billy Elliot and the cost was just £27.50 for an aisle seat.
The performance was not by an amateur cast in a draughty church hall, but a top-class ensemble in a major theatre — in Barcelona. I attended a Wednesday evening performance and the auditorium was filled to capacity. Perhaps if London theatre owners took notice of their ridiculous prices in comparison to other countries, they might attract more theatregoers. The Spanish performers were amazing and would give any cast in this country a run for their money.
MIKE HILTON, Ainsdale, Merseyside.