Nimax Theatres’ pre-tax profits leap to nearly £10m

The Play That Goes Wrong terms itself the West End’s longest-running comedy, having opened on September 14, 2014, while Harry Potter and the Cursed Child first presented its two-part theatrical experience some eight years ago, on July 30, 2016.

As well as rising pre-tax profits, shareholders’ funds grew from £49.9 million to £56 million.

In a review accompanying the accounts, director Nica Burns reported: "Good overall demand for the Nimax shows has helped to underpin strong levels of advance bookings and cash reserves during the year."

The company continued to benefit from a "strong level of advance sales", which Nimax Theatres took to demonstrate "the resilience of theatregoing demand for quality shows".

The accounts mentioned shows including the "very successful Fawlty Towers" and the arrival of "much-anticipated" musical Hadestown, which received specifically strong levels of advance ticket sales.

However, the commentary did not go into detail about the less successful production Why Am I So Single? – the new musical from the creators of Six – which ended its run at the Garrick Theatre early citing a difficult commercial landscape.

Ultimately, Nimax Theatres listed its "principal risk" as its ability to continue attracting "quality productions in a highly competitive West End market".