London Olympics could boost theatre attendance - surveyMarch 13, 2012 - 15:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The London Olympics and Paralympics could boost West End box offices, according to a survey of theatre-goers, BBC News reported. In the Whatsonstage.com poll of more than 32,000 theatre-goers, 70% said they would attend as much or more than usual during the Games. And two-thirds of respondents predicted the Olympics would help increase London theatre attendance. In contrast, Andrew Lloyd Webber predicted the Olympics would force most London theatres to shut. "Nobody's going to go to the theatre at all," the composer told Radio 4's Today programme in December. "It's going to be very tough," he said, revealing advance bookings were "about 10%" of their normal level. The musical Sweeney Todd, starring Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton, opens in the West End later this month and will take a break during the Olympics. The minority of theatre-goers who said the Olympics may put them off going to see a show, added their minds could be changed in the run up to the games by reduced ticket prices (63%), assurance of smooth-running transport (41%), good seat availability (31%) and celebrity-led casts (18%). Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |