‘If it wasn’t affordable it wouldn’t have sold out’

Cameron Mackintosh was in Edinburgh for the official Scottish premiere of Hamilton, which he brought to the West End in 2017, just two years after its offBroadway launch.

Speaking after the gala performance at the Festival Theatre – where the show runs until the end of April – he said: “I knew the show was in great shape, but I felt the cast were just sensational. I’m very proud of this great company.”

Hamilton has opened in Edinburgh amid growing debate about the price of theatre tickets, particularly in London. Tickets for the Festival Theatre run cost between £30 and £99.50.

Mackintosh said: “If Hamilton wasn’t affordable it wouldn’t have sold out in advance. I think the ticket prices here are pretty reasonable, the show is just as good as it is in London and people don’t have to pay extortionate hotel prices to see it here.

“Some shows have been charging a great deal of money in London but I wouldn’t allow it to happen in my theatres. One of the reasons our shows have good huge advances and are doing really well is because they are affordable. They’re also huge shows.

“The interesting thing is that most of the shows which are charging a lot of money for short runs with big stars are plays or small productions.

“Our musicals are playing to an average capacity of 93 per cent. We are doing better now than we were before the pandemic.

“These are difficult times and money is tight. But nevertheless people will still want to go out if they feel they’re going to get value for money. A great musical will be remembered longer than most great meals in a restaurant.”