Much Ado About Nothing with Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell Breaks West End Box Office Record

The Jamie Lloyd Company’s production of Much Ado About Nothing has made history by setting a new box office record for a play in the West End. Recently completing its sold-out run at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the production not only achieved the highest box office figures for a single week but also set a new benchmark, with the final week reaching the highest grossing numbers for any play in the West End to date.

Hayley Atwell and Tom Hiddlestone in Much Ado About Nothing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Starring Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell, and directed by Jamie Lloyd, the production was a major success both critically and commercially. This milestone follows the success of the company’s previous production, Romeo and Juliet, which became the highest-grossing production in the history of the Duke of York’s Theatre.

A Landmark Year for the Jamie Lloyd Company

This production marks the close of the Jamie Lloyd Company’s first year as an independent entity. Over the past year, the company has brought multiple productions to both London and New York, including The Effect, Romeo and Juliet, Sunset Boulevard, The Tempest, and Much Ado About Nothing. These productions have reached an impressive 600,000 viewers, a testament to the company’s growing influence and reach in the global theatre scene.

Commitment to Accessibility and Affordability

The Jamie Lloyd Company has prioritized accessibility throughout its season. More than a third of tickets for these productions were priced at £45 or less. In addition, the company maintained a commitment to providing affordable ticket options by offering £25 tickets for under-30s, key workers, and those receiving government benefits. This initiative was particularly prominent during the Shakespeare season at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where 25,000 tickets were made available through this pricing initiative. In fact, 78% of customers who purchased tickets for this season were first-time bookers, highlighting the company's success in attracting new audiences.

Much Ado About Nothing: A Critical Success

With its stunning performances from Hiddleston and Atwell, Much Ado About Nothing has been widely celebrated. The production’s box office success reflects both the high demand for tickets and the audience’s enthusiasm for the performances. To read a glowing review of the show, follow this link.

As Jamie Lloyd continues to push the boundaries of theatrical excellence and accessibility, this record-breaking run signifies a new chapter for the company, one that places the needs of the audience at the forefront of its creative work.