When I started out in show business, taking my first faltering steps, I dreamed of becoming a musical theatre performer.
Perhaps taking lead roles in shows like “Barnum” and “Chicago”. But I kept these wild ambitions to myself.
Well, I didn’t want to make a song and dance about it!
Before Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber created their blockbuster stage musicals, the longest-running show in the West End was “The Mousetrap” and it’s still on after 75 years.
As it’s a play with a small cast and one set, it would have made its money back many times over. *
However, lavish musicals cost millions to produce and there’s no guarantee they will ‘run and run’.
If a musical does run for decades, unexpected problems can arise, as they did when a famous West End musical was transferred to another theatre.
None of the stage crew were the originals so, consequently, they had no experience of a ‘Get Out’ (removing the scenery, lighting rig etc.) or a ‘Get In’(setting it all up in the new venue).
So a temporary crew experienced in ‘getting in and out’ had to be hired!
The phenomenal cost of producing a new musical and then paying the cast, crew, musicians and front of house staff every week, plus rent and business rates, has to be reflected in the prices charged for tickets – some of which are eye-watering!
If you’re in London, fancy a theatre show and you’re not set on any particular one, you could always try the famous Half-Price ticket booth in Leicester Square which opens around tea time and offers reduced price tickets to fill empty seats still available late in the day.
But you’ll be very lucky to be offered a good seat for a top musical.
I intended to treat some friends to tickets to “Paddington -The Musical” for their anniversary, as the show has had great reviews. Then I found out good seats for a Saturday cost £250 each. They’ll be getting a bottle of Prosecco and a marmalade sandwich instead.
*After 75 years, everyone knows who the murderer is . . . aagh!