Risky business
Croydon's Warehouse, the Theatre Royal in Margate and the Darlington Arts Centre are among 49 theatres that are "at risk", according to a warning from conservation body the Theatres Trust. Its Theatre Buildings At Risk Register, which the organisation releases annually, ranks venues across the UK under threat from demolition or redevelopment. This year, there were 17 new entries, though the overall number of theatres at risk actually decreased from 56. Sadly, that's not such good news at is sounds: some of the venues removed from the list have been lost permanently.
Hipp, hipp, hooray
Good news, though, for two of London's historic theatre buildings. The London Hippodrome, now rebranded as a casino, reopens on Monday, with performances in its cabaret room from Tony Christie. Meanwhile, Wiltons Music Hall – one of the long-term fixtures on the "at risk" list – has been awarded a preliminary grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, so it can begin a major refurbishment. It is one of the theatres removed from the Theatres Trust list for all the right reasons.
Capital gains
Over in the West End, detailed box office results for the 2011 season have been released by the Society of London Theatre. They confirm that 2011 was a record-breaker – with revenues of more than £528m. Meanwhile, ticket prices have continued to increase (although notably more slowly than the rate of inflation): the average face value of a ticket is now £46.40.
It's behind you
Not such good results outside London, though, where a number of theatres and theatre producers have been struggling to find audiences. The latest company to go into administration is Pele Productions, probably best known for producing a number of pantomimes at the Lowry in Salford. Sadly, they are the latest in a string of theatre companies to go under.
Minimum rage
London's Old Vic Theatre has been under fire from unions for some time for not paying the minimum wage to interns working at the venue. This week, the dispute seems to have reached some kind of resolution (although, arguably not an ideal one), after the theatre suspended one of its internship programmes amid renewed pressure from both technical union BECTU and Arts Council England.
RIP Eric Sykes
A sad loss for the world of entertainment, with the death of comedian and actor Eric Sykes, who passed away following a brief illness, at the age of 89. Sykes had a varied career, ranging from writing and appearing in sitcoms to providing a voice on the Teletubbies.
And finally …
Big Dance, the UK's annual celebration of just that, launched this week at St Pancras Station. Mayor of London Boris Johnson was on hand to share some of his own well-worn moves.
Follow Friday – my theatrical Twitter tips
@marcusromer – Marcus Romer, the artistic director of Pilot Theatre and one of the theatre world's most prolific users of social media. This week he's running the #shifthappens conference in York.
@theharewood – stage and screen actor David Harewood. As well as tweeting about what he's up to work-wise (such as Homeland), he does an interesting line in famous quotes about acting. An example: "The most important thing in the face is the eyes, and if you can make the eyes talk, you're halfway there." (Ian Holm)
@theobosanquet – Theo Bosanquet is the editor of theatre website Whatsonstage.com. Often to be found reviewing theatre around London and interviewing big names from the theatre world – most recently casting director David Grindrod.
Alistair Smith is deputy editor of The Stage. You can follow me @smithalistair
