Theatre in London and the interrelationship with tourism

The influence of tourism on 'culture' is often explored in the context of less-developed societies and their institutions and traditions. In this paper the influence of tourism on theatre in London is examined. Theatre would appear to be a significant factor in the choice of the city as a tourist destination and the paper initially explores the evidence for this contention. In particular, the view that tourism has had an unfavourable effect on theatre is considered. There is an undoubted dominance of the West End by musicals and it is argued that the net effect of tourism and concentrated ownership and production has resulted in such a profile. This may well inhibit the stimulation and survival of a more diverse, adventurous and innovative theatrical scene and of creative artistic talent. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.