Majority of West End shows now charge more than £100 for the best seats, poll reveals

The majority of West End shows are now charging more than £100 for the best seats, a survey has revealed. 

Twenty out of 37 commercial shows have top-price tickets over £100, according to a poll by The Stage. 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child increased ticket prices by £55 over the past 12 months, while The Lion King musical notched up its best seat prices by almost £25. 

Theatre goers who want to see either play could now fork out up to £125 whilst The Book of Mormon, the most expensive musical for the third year running, charges £202. 

The cheapest tickets at a West End show now cost on average just over £21, the poll also found. 

Acclaimed British director Jamie Lloyd, best known for hit play Doctor Faustus starring Kit Harrington, has previously told The Telegraph that £100 for a ticket was "far too much" and claimed prices were spiraling out of control. 

He said: "Theatre should be for everyone, regardless of their background. Producers and companies who let prices spiral out of control send out a message that theatre is a luxury experience, which is deeply problematic.

"We have worked to ensure that our premium and top price tickets are significantly lower than other commercial projects, and we've done that consistently over the last few years, whilst other companies have been happy to push prices higher."

Many theatres now offer cut-price tickets to those who book early, while others reduce prices for different age groups.  Sonia Friedman Productions, who produce The Book of Mormon, defended the ticket costs to The Stage and said there were also accessibly priced tickets available. 

A spokesman said: "Sonia Friedman Productions continues to be firmly committed to ensuring that, along with higher-priced tickets, there is always a meaningful number of accessibly priced tickets available in advance and on the day for all its productions."