London Theatre Week
Feature by Lizzie Guilfoyle
TODAY, (August 24, 2009), lastminute.com is launching its first ever London Theatre Week.
The event celebrates the best in arts and culture across the capital, with the booking fee for all tickets sold going to 95.8 Capital FM’s charity Help a London Child, which provides financial support to grass root projects working with London’s disadvantaged children and young people.
Despite the current economic climate, figures released by the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) earlier this month show nearly seven million people visited shows in the first half of 2009.
And lastminute.com has seen a 28% increase in sales of theatre tickets on the site with the top five best selling shows including Wicked, Les Miserable and Dirty Dancing. This is expected to rise during London Theatre Week, when the online travel and leisure retailer hopes to raise over £12,000 for charity.
Shows taking part in this year’s London Theatre Week include popular musicals Wicked, Hairspray, Oliver! and Billy Elliott, as well as new releases such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s starring Anna Friel and Prick Up Your Ears, a new play which examines the private lives of two extraordinary men – Kenneth Halliwell (Matt Lucas) and Joe Orton (Chris New).
The event will offer best available tickets to the top shows for as low as £15, £25 and £35 for all bookings made between August 24 and September 4, 2009. And to coincide with London Theatre Week the site will be offering meal deals at some of London’s top eateries.
lastminute.com lifestyle sales director Mark Bower said: “With the West End being more popular than ever, we are thrilled to launch London Theatre Week this year. We want as many of our customers as possible to enjoy great theatre. Theatre Week is a great opportunity to see the best theatre London has to offer at a fraction of the cost.”
Shows can be booked at lastminute.com from today.