Time to say goodbye? Unclog these theatres!

Yaaaaas!

The reason all those shows are here, is because they’re tourist attractions, along with Mousetrap, Les Mis, Matilda, Harry Potter & Phantom. I have no issues with these shows remaining open and can be a guilty pleasure after Christmas, as tickets can be very cheap.

The problem with London West End it either has theatres that are too big or too small. The solution for me is to build 2 new theatres with a capacity of 1400 - 1600, London doesn’t have many theatres in this ballpark.

Even if you have to strap yourself into a abseiling position to get into the centre seats of the Circle, it really is a hidden gem in the West End that needs to be seen by more than the Mormonites now.

Should this not be its own thread instead of just a round of Lion King bashing here?

I would like to see ALL those tourist vehicles - Phantom, Les Mis, Mamma Mia, Book of Mormon, Lion King, etc - gone and have ten theatres available. Why should it be easier for random tourists from China or Brazil to see a show in London than for local/regional theatre-goers who have very little to choose from because hardly anything new can come in?

New shows either don't come at all due to lack of real estate or they have to find pretty silly solutions like Gatsby at the far too large Coliseum for a limited run or Shucked at the Open Air Theatre, also for a limited run.

I'm also guessing that the rather amazing success of Prada isn't only due to the movie's popularity or Vanessa Williams or Elton John but the simple fact that it's the ONLY new big musical in town right now during the season when many groups, friends, co-workers, etc are interested in a trip to the theatre. I was luke warm about it, but even I booked simply because there was nothing else that I was even remotely interested in.

Yes, I get the argument that "the shows are safe and thus providing safe employment" but then it's really more of a theme park than a creative arts scene.

I really doubt we're going to see Wicked going anywhere anytime soon!

Can we also evict the Mousetrap ?

Personally I think we're unlikely to see Les Mis close before Phantom does, and vice versa. Phantom is not that far behind Les Mis for longest running musical and I doubt it's a title Les Mis wants to lose or Phantom wants to pass up the chance to steal.

I agree! We shouldn't look at it from a small number of frequent theatre-goers, try to look at the big picture.

I had an interesting conversation with general-audience friends recently. Even though they've seen 5+ musicals, their favorite is by far Phantom of the Opera. For me, a fan, this is boring and dated and there are tons of more exciting musicals. But it gives you a perspective on what people actually love and it usually doesn't go with what us, fans, prefer.

My perspective is: we have a lot of London theatres. I travel to London strictly for theatre once a year and there's always more new shows to check out than I have time for. If there are a few stable tourist-favorites, but also always a lot of new shows in town, how does it hurt anybody? Especially these are not bad shows by any means. They're just been there forever and that their only fault. I think it's healthy that we have them as a representation of what a proper big-budget musical is, but also from the industry perspective, it's a sign to the producers that theatre can actually be profitable. If we get rid of cash-cows, producers would need to risk more and maybe at some point they would figure, that the formula is not working anymore, so theatre could be in danger.

As previously said, it's there because it sells. Let them be, we have plenty of other theatres for new shows to go to.

Otherwise, the one thing I agree with Patti Lupone on is that there should be term limits on judges, senators and musicals... a 10 year run is the longest I'd give before I beg to see something else!

Please get rid of Harry Potter. Surely nobody enjoys that anymore? It’s so 2000s and overdone