Will Gompertz: Golden age for West End theatres

There were predictions that London theatres would take a bit hit in 2012 with it being the year of the Olympics, but box office takings actually went up.

The BBC's Arts editor, Will Gompertz, told the Today programme: "It's surprisingly good news, both audience attendance and box office are both slightly up, that's the ninth year running that it has increased.

"It's not cheap to go to the West End, but there are some big shows coming in backed by American money, and also subsidised theatre is going through a golden age.

"The West End theatres are seeing record-breaking advances, really making it look like a very rosy start to the year."

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday 29 January 2013.