The Theater: Old Vic Victorious

It had been planned as a benefit—for U.S. playgoers. When London’s Old Vic players came to Broadway for six weeks of repertory, their sponsors, nonprofit Theatre, Inc., expected to drop about $50,000.

Last week, when the Old Vic completed its run, Theatre, Inc. totted up the chit. Sample items: 1) $92,000 round-trip traveling expenses for actors, scenery and props; 2) $75,000 theater rent; 3) $1,000 medical expenses, much of it for laryngitis, some for overeating. The grand total lived up to the sponsors’ worst fears: more than $299,000.

But the Old Vic had grossed a whopping average $50,701 a week (a Broadway repertory record), and had made nearly $5,000 profit. The guests will get half, the hosts half.