Coffers in London’s theatreland were again ringing to the tune of some £500m in 2011, with the West End reporting record takings for the eighth year on the trot. The results were buoyed by the increased popularity of plays – with shows such as War Horse, Jerusalem, Richard III and David Tennant and Catherine Tate in Much Ado About Nothing helping to increase audience numbers by 2% and revenue by 10%. Which, of course, also points to the one downside of the figures – a 4.9% increase in the cost of London theatre tickets, caused principally by the new 20% VAT rate Photograph: Tristram Kenton
Another hot ticket looms on the horizon in the shape of Neil Simon’s 1972 play Sunshine Boys, which is to be revived in the West End starring Danny DeVito and Richard Griffiths. DeVito will be making his London theatre debut in the production, which will be directed by Thea Sharrock and follows a comedy double act being reunited for one last show. It opens at the Savoy Theatre at the end of April. Photograph: Action Press / Rex Features
Protests of a very real kind in Hungary this week, where people have taken to the streets following the appointment of György Dörner as artistic director of Budapest’s New Theatre. Dörner, a former actor, is known for his far-right views and was appointed to the post by the city’s equally right-wing mayor, István Tarlos. Dorner has signalled his intention to impose a nationalist agenda on the theatre, saying he will only programme work by Hungarian authors and directors. This week, rival groups of protestors were out in force both for and against the theatre’s new regime. Photograph: Zsolt Szigetvary/EPA
While Danny DeVito is switching the big screen for theatre, Samantha Barks is moving in the opposite direction. News comes this week that the former I’d Do Anything contestant (she lost out to Jodie Prenger) will star as Eponine in the forthcoming film version of Les Misérables. Barks has previously played the part on stage in the West End and is currently treading the boards as Nancy in the UK touring version of Oliver!. The Les Mis film starts shooting next month, when Barks will be manning the barricades alongside co-stars Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman. Photograph: Dan Wooller / Rex Features
Meanwhile, in Wales, the Sherman Cymru Theatre has emerged triumphant from the other side of its own two-year redevelopment project and will reopen this weekend after a £6.5m revamp. The Cardiff theatre – one of Wales’ highest-profile producers of both Welsh and English language work – originally opened in 1973, and closed for the refurbishment in 2010. The theatre will be hosting an open day on Saturday for members of the public to inspect the 'radical remodelling' of the building. Photograph: PR
Back in London, a battle that appears to be going to the good involves news that Wilton’s Music Hall has secured a £700,000 grant, allowing it to embark on a much-needed restoration project. The east London venue, one of the UK’s oldest remaining music halls, was left in a perilous position last year after its £2.25m application for Heritage Lottery Funding was turned down. However, together with a further £500,000 it has already raised, it now has enough money to start work on the historic venue, although is a significant way short of its target of around £3.5m. Photograph: Londonstills.com / Alamy
Finally, proof positive that theatre is successfully reaching out to new audiences. Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney was spotted in the stalls with his wife Coleen as Cameron Mackintosh’s touring production of Oliver! played in Manchester. Afterwards, he reported on Twitter: 'Great show loved it. Dodger was brilliant'. Perhaps a career as a critic beckons, if the whole football thing doesn’t pan out? Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA
