{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/9475d117-fcd4-4915-a6f3-923941e7aa0d/6941cfdf58c537ceb69463ea?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Why are West End ticket prices so high? ","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/61ba05fc1a8cbed4343cf0e6/1765962374262-26597701-d6ea-4dd4-b921-222730ea5fd9.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p> More than 17 million people arrive in the capital each year to celebrate one of London's most beloved cultural gemstones - theatre. </p><p><br></p><p>But seeing a central London play can set you back hundreds of pounds, and the costs are only going up. Audiences are now being priced out with the average price of a top ticket rising by 50% between 2023 and 2024 to 146 pounds and 61 pence a seat.</p><p><br></p><p>So who or what is to blame for the situation? Is this just a callous cash grab, and what does it all mean for the future of London’s West End? </p><p><br></p><p>We're joined by The Standard’s Commissioning Editor and Culture Writer Vicky Jessop, who has been investigating the issue for the latest special report.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>","author_name":"The Evening Standard"}