WhatsOnStage is a UK-based theatre website providing news, reviews, interviews, and a comprehensive listings database of performances across the country. The platform claims to list over 5,000 performances at any given time and also operates a ticketing service through commercial partnerships. It serves a large online theatregoing community and has positioned itself as a leading and trusted source of theatre information in the UK.
History
WhatsOnStage was founded in 1996 by the media corporation
EMAP
Ascential (formerly EMAP) was a British-headquartered global company, specialising in events, intelligence and advisory services for the marketing and financial technology industries. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange until it was ac ...
, with Carol Dukes playing a key role in its initial development. In 1999, it was acquired by
Terri Paddock and David Dobson, who managed the company for the following 13 years. The site was subsequently purchased by
Time Out in 2012 and then acquired by
TheaterMania in January 2013. In 2017, WhatsOnStage became part of the
AudienceView portfolio, which offers ticketing and marketing solutions across the live events industry globally.
WhatsOnStage Awards
In 2000, the company launched the
WhatsOnStage Awards
The WhatsOnStage Awards (WOS Awards), formerly known as the Theatregoers' Choice Awards, are organised by the theatre website WhatsOnStage.com. The awards celebrate outstanding achievements in UK theatre, with categories covering both regional p ...
, which are entirely decided by public vote. These awards are recognized as the only major UK theatre awards determined by audiences, attracting hundreds of thousands of voters each year.
Theatre Club
WhatsOnStage also operates the WhatsOnStage Theatre Club, a membership service that provides access to discounted group theatre outings and exclusive events. Benefits include post-show Q&A sessions with casts and creatives, as well as opportunities for meet-and-greets and other exclusive content.
References
External links
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1996 establishments in the United Kingdom
Internet properties established in 1996
Theatre information and review websites
Theatre of the United Kingdom
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