Where has the Audience Gone

In fairness, the Aldwych is only dark for renovation, and that's not just a cop out excuse, you walk past its covered in scaffolding. And Phoenix is just doing Evita and Exorcist before a bigger show goes in Spring 2018.

I wouldn't say that audiences are leaving the West End, I see it more as it just happens to be a turnaround right now where loads of shows happen to be closing at this particular time. Sixpence, Lady Day, Our Ladies, Bat out of Hell, Wind in the Willows in the big houses alone all planned to close around this time, and all these theatres have other shows planned to go in.

I haven't noticed a big difference on personal experience. Sixpence was full bar a couple of Balcony seats last night, Apologia was close to sold out too. Both performances of Yank were sold out both nights I went in the final week. To name but a few, but I haven't noticed a particular difference in the actual theatre. I think it is just a turnaround of theatres happening all at once.

I fully expect in the next few months to hear of a couple of transfers from New York too, which adds some excitement for the upcoming season.

Not surprisingly I think there is an upsurge when a production is about to close, as I was hoping to catch Our Ladies in its final week but all the cheap deals had disappeared; however, I've certainly booked for almost nothing at my usual ATG venues this year (Richmond mainly, but sometimes Wimbledon and even Woking), solely due to - as I understand it from others here - their new policy of not offering members' discounts or deals.

For me, it feels like the West End is a bit stagnant. There was a time I'd make a deliberate trip to try catch 3/4 shows at a time, some new some repeat visits. But currently theres nothing there driving me to make a trip to London. The last two times I've been to a show has been because I've been down for work and had an evening off so needed something to do, not because of any serious appeal.
The last few years has seen quite a few original shows close whilst a number of revivals appear which have less longevity, couple that with an unhealthy amount of jukebox shows which draw the dregs of the audience market and Theatreland's appeal dwindles.

Also you could add to that list Anastasia and Come From Away.

But they're only going to come over if they going to make dosh and earlier this year we had a lot of tourists come over due to the Brexit backlash and the weak pound, but that seems to have subsided now.

Was Harry Potter not big enough though?

What were you hoping to book at Richmond/Wimbledon/Woking? I've seen plenty of members offers for all 3!

Fair point, I hadn't considered Potter. Having said that Potter is a different market to Hamilton in that its appeal is mostly to a set of fans already familiar with the brand. I haven't seen the show but I'd guess that the vast majority of people attending Harry Potter are going because they're devout HP fans, not because they're theatre fans. Whereas I think a lot of people who will end up at Hamilton are there because they've heard about it, caught its reputation and want to see what its about. 
Once the people who've gone to see Harry Potter at the Palace have seen the show, they're off the Harry Potter world at Warner Bros, not to Drury Lane to see 42 Street or Dreamgirls at the Savoy.

Harry Potter could open anywhere in the country and run there doing (almost) the same on sales I think because the fans of Harry Potter globally will flock to any and all aspects of the brand. 

Critically, the response to Anastasia was mixed but it's a big hit with the audiences

Disagree about Come From Away.

It was a harder sell in New York, as many people said they wouldn't attend the show, because the emotion was too raw, subsequently this has become a monster hit with every show sold out, the show has heart and that is what the audience love, you could also make the same argument for Hairspray which I saw tonight, people were saying this would flop when it came over in 2010 as the story doesn't resonate over here. Also there is no starring role in the piece, it is purely an ensemble piece and the set is sparse so would be cheap to put on, so could slot into a small theatre.

This has been a good summer for plays in the West End and the autumn lineup is very strong too. Some really interesting drama - Ink, Venus in Fur, Oslo, Labour of Love, Heisenberg, The Ferryman (extending), Apologia, even The Exorcist and A Woman of No Importance - something for everyone.

I remember around 8 years ago when loads of theatres were dark for months and the only plays that summer were The Female of the Species with Eileen Atkins at the Vaudeville and Under the Blue Sky by David Eldridge at the Duke of York's.

Like I said, I have my doubts, but I'd love to see it come over. Even if it only did a short run, I'd like to see it.

Yeah you're right. And if you read back, I did say it is very popular on Broadway. I just have a little bit of doubt regarding if it would be as big a hit here. That's all. Just a feeling. I mean, I'd love to get out the books of revenue and ticket sales for the future years when it does open to show you, but sadly it's not possible as of yet.