Record year for West End theatre

From BBC News:

West End theatres enjoyed another record-breaking year in 2008 despite the economic downturn, figures reveal.

The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) said box office takings increased by 3%, totalling more than £480m.

Audiences were also up 1% on 2007, reaching 13.8m as musicals, plays and dance performances proved popular.

Although the West End is increasingly dominated by musical theatre, it still retains a degree of diversity - despite the competition from the subsidised sector. For example, the West End in 2008 staged plays by writers including Harold Pinter, David Eldridge and Neil LaBute.