The performing arts continue to make a significant contribution to the UK’s cultural life, with a strong year in 2007. Increased funding for subsidised theatre and better facilities have enabled a renewed focus on innovation and excellence, while the commercial sector has undoubtedly benefited from the exposure gained through TV casting competitions, such as How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?

Admissions to London theatres reached 13.6 million in 2007 – the highest ever recorded – while revenues increased to £469.7 million. Sell-out productions included the RSC’s King Lear and The Seagull, as well as the National Theatre’s War Horse, while theatre continues to be a strong draw for tourists and a training ground for other creative industries. Mintel’s consumer research reveals that 45% of UK adults have been to a performing arts event in the last 12 months and 66% would like to attend in the future.

This report, Mintel’s second on the sector, looks at performing arts attendance and how the industry is reaching out to new audiences, including via different platforms, such as cinema and the internet. It also aims to identify some of the barriers that may be preventing interest in the sector from expanding further, exploring the hypothesis that: “Significant barriers to attending the performing arts persist, despite increased arts funding, initiatives to widen the audience and greater TV coverage”.

Main report themes:

Has the internet changed the way that people interact with performing arts companies and how important is a comprehensive web presence?

What impact does funding have on the subsidised sector and should money be available to commercial theatres?

How are the performing arts reaching out to new audiences?

Who has been to a performing arts event in the last 12 months and who intends to go in the future?

How do people prefer to buy tickets?

What are the main barriers to attendance – for those that go, as well as those that don’t?

What impact is the current financial crisis likely to have?