GTOs now have the added benefit of a new, dedicated groups department with LW Theatres, who will be on-hand to help plan every aspect of a West End visit.
With seven London venues under the LW Theatres umbrella, groups will now be able to plan their theatre visit with group executives, Michael Porter and Paul Russell, who were appointed in January 2025.
They will work alongside groups manager Hannah Finch, who has held this position since November 2023. The idea of the new team is to offer group bookers a quicker response time to enquiries and an all-round better experience when buying group tickets.
A new dedicated groups phone line has also been introduced, meaning GTOs have a direct line of communication to people who have experience in organising group theatre trips.
“I believe it is crucial to deliver and build extraordinary customer service to follow and maintain LW Theatres’ brand, whilst growing our group bookings and making our stamp on the West End.”
Michael Porter
Paul Russell told Group Leisure & Travel: “I’m excited to join the team and help shape our new groups department with my fantastic colleagues.
“I look forward to building long lasting relationships with clients and bookers, creating memorable theatre experiences, and making sure every group has a smooth and enjoyable journey from start to finish.”
Michael Porter added: “It is a real pleasure to have joined the newly formed LW Groups department. I am looking forward to meeting the bookers and building a close, strong and personal working relationship with them.
“I believe it is crucial to deliver and build extraordinary customer service to follow and maintain LW Theatres’ brand, whilst growing our group bookings and making our stamp on the West End.”
The team is based at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, but have previously worked across all venues associated with LW Theatres, meaning they are equipped to know where the nearest coach parking options are, where the closest tube stations are, and the best places for group dining offers.
Shows currently on offer with LW Theatres include Back to the Future the Musical at the Adelphi Theatre, My Neighbour Totoro at the Gillian Lynne Theatre and Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre.
LW Theatres says it will continue to provide exclusive discounts and priority on-sales, including being the only place to get tickets for the Palladium Pantomime which is celebrating it’s tenth year in December.
The team will also be seeking more group rates on concerts and events at its venues.
Key group contacts
Paul Russell and Michael Porter (group executives) can be contacted on the dedicated groups phone line, 020 3925 2996, or via email at groups@lwtheatres.co.uk.
Hannah Finch (groups manager) can be emailed on hannah.finch@lwtheatres.co.uk.
More information is available at lwtheatres.co.uk/groups.
