Kids Week 2015 reports bumper sales

Kids Week, the Society of London Theatre initiative that offers free tickets to children when accompanied by a paying adult, broke records again this year with more than 229,000 tickets sold.

The 2015 total represents a 30% year-on-year increase. Over 114,000 tickets were sold within the first 24 hours of the promotion.

Now in its 18th year, Kids Week – which runs throughout August – sold 229,143 tickets for 48 West End shows including big-hitters such as The Lion King, Les Miserables and Wicked.

Julian Bird, chief executive of the Society of London Theatre, said: "More shows than ever took part in Kids Week 2015, demonstrating the theatre industry's commitment to ensuring theatre fans of all ages have the opportunity to experience the finest theatre London has to offer and are able to access seats at a range of prices.

"Many young people, via this initiative, will have visited the theatre for the first time this August and we hope this has sparked a lifelong love of the performing arts."