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Theatre’s Encore: Revenue of Theatre Screenings Surge by 275% in 2024

The magic of the stage is finding a spotlight within cinemas, with a staggering 275% increase of total weekend revenue of theatrical screenings, according to The British Film Institute 2024 Box Office reports.

Bringing the drama, music and set designs to wider audiences, this surge highlights the growing demand for accessible theatre experiences.

Theatre Taking Centre Stage

In 2023, UK cinemas generated £857,277 from theatrical screenings of performances such as Sleeping Beauty-The Ballet, The Crucible and Anything Goes.

Cartoon of Ticket: Creator: Cherkas

But in 2024, the total weekend gross has nearly quadrupled, surging to £3,216,792.

This spike reveals a shift in audience habits, with more people opting for the comfort of their cinema for an affordable and immersive theatre experience.

The Staging of This Success

For many, the cost of traditional theatre tickets is becoming divisive.

Hannah Dogherty, a member of staff at Leicester Square Box office, explains that theatre ticket prices are becoming a financial burden.

“I get the same questions about Les Mis, Mamma Mia and Lion King but people just can’t afford to go the theatre anymore. They are scared to take the risk.”

While West End theatre tickets can range from £35 to £350, cinema tickets typically cost between £4 and £12, offering theatre enthusiasts a far more affordable way to get their theatre-fix.

Eleanor Willis, CEO of Stagebase, a programme supporting emerging artists, believes that this shift is a good thing as it opens theatre to all types of audiences.

“We are finally allowing everyone the right to access the arts. People have always loved the arts but now we are including those who can’t access the performances for financial or locational reasons.”

Theatre screenings are beginning to provide audiences a new gateway to the arts. For theatre lovers, this opportunity allows them to revisit their favourite productions, regardless of the location.

Whilst for others, it offers them the chance to experience live theatre without the financial pressures.

However, for some, it’s not just about affordability but also accessibility.

Luke Kempner, currently staring as Monsieur Thénardier in Les Misérables on the West End, shared that for his grandparents, attending the theatre has become increasingly impractical.

“The thought of entering the theatre with my grandparents would keep me up at night. There is no way that they would sit through a three-hour play."

A Whole New Act: The Increase of Play Screenings

According to the 2024 BFI box office reports, cinemas are also diversifying the genres of their screenings.

In 2023, cinemas largely focused on screenings of musical and ballet productions but in 2024, there was a noticeable investment in plays. This is shown in the number of plays rising from 6 to 20, marking a 233% increase.