Elemental Theatre
Region: GB
Tuesday 25 August 2026 16:00:00 GMT
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Fraser Ingram :
As long as people keep wanting to go to it then you keep it going. Build more theaters then. Plenty empty shops in central London that could be made into theaters
2026-08-25 20:27:00
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Emily :
i would love to see new shows in these theatres that have long running shows in them but at the same time it’s what would replace them that would make as much money as they do to keep the industry running 🤍
2026-08-26 00:24:03
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Bailey :
Im not just saying this as a Les Mis stan (even though I definitely am one 😅), but as you said, the long runners are what keeps the west end profitable. Like take Delfont Mackintosh as an example, they own 8 theatres, 4 of those are occupied by long runners (Les Mis, Hamilton, Mamma Mia, Book Of Mormon) and 4 of them have shows that routinely cycle, change, evolve, transfer, whatever. And because they have that definitive income from the long runners then they can take risks on shows that wouldnt survive on their own which means more chances for the next big break, more people employed and (crucially) the ability to lose money. If you compare it to Broadway which in theory has a similar financial system but much less margin for error, they have very few long runners so they can constantly test new material on some of the biggest stages in the world (good), but if they have a bad week, open in a bad climate or just dont hit the ground running, then they are lucky to survive their season (bad). Cats closed just a few months after it opened to rave reviews because it opened at a bad time for Broadway and there was no money floating around to weather the storm so they didn't have any choice. Broadway routinely has theatres empty for months on end, ridiculously high ticket prices and falling capacity numbers FOR THIS REASON. You have to have long runners to subsidise the fringe, experimental, culturally important shows otherwise the maths just falls apart and suddenly no one, not even producers, can afford theatre.
2026-08-25 16:36:15
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C cubed :
Dare I say? Went back to one of those long running shoes, which shall not be named. I have seen it several times, mostly when it was new, and in two different countries. After a gap of 15+ years... I was underwhelmed with what it is now.
2026-08-25 22:50:23
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Audi Videos :
It really isn’t one of the biggest debates in theatre. Nobody talks about it whatsoever. They should close when people no longer want to see them. That’s it. God forbid people in the arts getting long term work.
2026-08-25 22:01:21
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kora the tree bark :
Ha, now also Paddington will have the Savoy out of action for a long time.. but hmm, I think as long as they're selling and therefore creating/sustaining jobs plus bringing in the tourists - let them be. there are still a few others left to go round, plus the regionals. I see a fair bit of theatre (on 55 shows so far this year, plus will book 3 more once I get paid tomorrow 🤭) but I've only seen Les Mis once last year, Wicked once 4 years ago, never seen Phantom, or The Lion King.. meaning there is still plenty other theatre to go round. lastly, I find comfort in re-watching the same show and to me every time it is different anyway(due to new casts, understudies and different audience vibes). I think a 50% 50% ish split between "old" and new would be ok.
2026-08-25 18:40:48
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Jasper | JasperInTheWestEnd :
Big on Wicked. I’ve been twice this year and it’s been so empty both times!
2026-08-25 17:34:42
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Sebbash :
If there's still an economic case for The Musetrap then leave The Mousetrap alone. Besides the situation for new shows isn't half as dire as you're making jt out to be. Right now the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is happening which will no doubt be the birth of many new pieces of theatre and Off-West End spaces in London are innovating new showsand many make it to The West End and beyond.
2026-08-25 18:55:05
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Alex Wilson :
Without long-running shows, the West End wouldn't be as solid as it is today. The long-runners are ths backbone of the industry, they bring in the tourists and money and we hope they'll take a chance on new shows while they're here as a result of the long-tunners inspiring a love of theatre. If we only had new shows, less people would probably take chabces, less people would go to the WE, and the industry would suffer financially as a result. Plus, what would be the cut off?
2026-08-25 18:16:21
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danieldavid2.0 :
I personally think The Mousetrap is the only West End show that should never close. it's basically a tourist attraction and a play we should be proud of for its lasting legacy. that theatre as well isn't exactly clogging up West End priority real estate either, I really like that it's just there, and still sells really well even now, all these years on.
2026-08-25 20:39:57
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Nic king of pandas :
I am by no means a fan of Phantom but I did take my teen for the first time last week. Every theatre is not occupied. Half of the Mackintosh theatres change their shows regularly, half dont. Obviously its working as a business model. We certainly dont want to be turning into broadway in terms of risks. Even if say Wicked did move, who could consistently fill that many seats a night.
2026-08-25 18:56:06
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northernmarky :
..mousetrap was at the Ambassadors from 52 to 74....but they shut it on the Saturday and reopened at St Martins on the Monday. I think its a bit of history and its longevity is part of its attraction and should continue. perhaps we need more venues...the churn is still high on new shows coming in and going out. Les Mis shrank when it moved home and was reimagined. Phantom is a very different version now than when it started so they are refreshed. Is there enough new stuff and enough money to put them on? with shows costing millions to produce they can't turn round too quickly as they have to make their costs back. lots of questions....
2026-08-25 17:16:35
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moonbutt :
just wish they had a show that was a bit more diverse than the Mousetrap
2026-08-25 17:31:20
7
A :
No. Leave the ones we like alone
2026-08-25 20:59:15
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bronwen.82🏴 :
Phantom has been running since 1985 - it’s always been a big bombastic nonsense! I do think it needs a serious rethink
2026-08-25 16:49:31
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Helen Harti :
We rely on the Other Palace and Southwark playhouse to have new shows at the moment. Some new shows aren’t given the chance. Toby and Lucy’s Why am I so single was amazing but I feel wasn’t supported enough.
2026-08-25 16:52:47
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The Thomas Cranmer :
When it reaches 100 yes
2026-08-25 18:16:34
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Arron Evans :
10 year cut off. The shows just become tourist attractions at that point and not theatre. Now with the advent of the pro-shot we can still have access to these stagings but keep the west end fresh with new shows or new stagings
2026-08-25 18:12:52
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Matt837393933 :
where does the Gobe fit into all this? I remember when Emma Rice was ousted and really was making this point - that the Globe become an institutional museum and not a theatre.
2026-08-25 17:40:27
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Andrew Hemingway393. :
It’s making money. It’s easy to gamble big if it’s not your money. I think this is where local theatre like the Nottingham Playhouse comes in. They can take a point on six week round.
2026-08-25 16:54:36
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Mark 🦼 🎭 :
Yes , witness much better !!! 👀
2026-08-25 18:55:04
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Alan :
Maybe the existing shows need revamping? As far as I know Les Mis has had a few tweaks over the years. Comparison to Shakespeare is tricky because some of the shows you mentioned are actually musicals and the songs drive the direct. I’m not saying it’s not possible. I think it’s an interesting question…
2026-08-25 16:31:17
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Freya :
I assume the long runners generate more of a garanteed income which means producers can invest in newer shows that might make a loss.
2026-08-25 21:28:16
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angelfan02uk :
I think all long running shows should be capped at 10 years. We Will Rock You and Billy Elliot both ran for 10 years and no one can say that they weren’t successful but they didn’t outstay their welcome. If Andrew Lloyd Webber says that he is struggling to find a venue for his new show then there must be a problem.
2026-08-25 20:53:43
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Bertie :
There are plenty of theatres in London to allow the popular long timers to stay. Oh, and the mousetrap started at the ambassador’s 😃
2026-08-25 16:05:33
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