London's theatres attracted record audience levels and box office takings during 2008, with a 1 per cent increase in the amount of people attending musicals, plays, opera and dance performances.

Figures released by the Society of London Theatre (SLT), which represents 52 venues, also revealed a 3 per cent increase in box office revenue, with more than £480m generated by the capital's theatres. Nearly 14 million people visited the theatre last year, and although the SLT admitted that the economic downturn had affected demand in the second half of the year, a strong Christmas period resulted in unprecedented year-end figures.

SLT president, Nica Burns, said: "Behind these figures are many very talented, hard-working people putting on and selling world-class shows that people actually want to see. There's a lot of economic doom and gloom out there, but it would seem that people still want to be entertained and stimulated in numbers."