Is the West End too expensive for young people?
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This week, Sherlock star Mark Gatiss has branded The West End as an "exclusive club for rich white people".
The West End is probably at its broadest in years. Shows can vary from musical classics such as Phantom of the Opera to modern plays like The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. Whatever kind of thing you want to see, chances are theatre-land can offer it. You can go for a sing-a-long, to cry, to laugh; you can be eight or 80, there’s something for everyone.
With such variety it may seem odd that Gattis has made such comments. The main issue he seems to have is with extortionate ticket prices. Going to the theatre is always going to be more expensive than going to the cinema. Why? Because these actors are live each and every night. The emotion you see is raw. There are no re-takes, no clever editing and no second chances. They play to a fresh batch of faces each night and have to keep a high standard at all times. The theatres are rented for the length of the show and these places aren’t cheap. The theatre is there to make a profit, of course, however it’s also an experience that is second to none.
The average price of a London theatre ticket is £42.99, according to the Society of London Theatre. Understandably, that is a rather large sum of money to spend on just one evening. Though I’m confident a lot of young people will spend that on a night out.

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