Grease is the Word - Viral Buzz Marketing Also Works On Stage

There's one thing that Popstars, PopIdol, Fame Academy all managed to do very well - They generated word of mouth on a massive scale. Since then the successful model has been tweeked and optimised for maxiumum effect.

These shows have sold millions of singles, albums, items of merchandise, countless tours, spin offs and now west end theatre tickets. So not surprisingly specialist tour operators are getting in on the action.

Theatre breaks are big business, but theatre breaks supported by this kind of TV show are huge. The supporting TV shows Grease is the Word and Any Dream Will Do are set to drive record breaking sales for Grease theatre packages and Joseph theatre breaks respectively.

Ray "Theatre Breaks" Jones offers his thoughts on the phenomena, having seen first hand the influence "How Do Solve a Problem Like Maria?" has on the stage production of The Sound of Music.

“TV series had an enormous impact. The Sound of Music always looked to be a winner, but it was the TV show and Connie in the lead role that set fire to public demand. The fact that she makes an excellent Maria helps too. I saw the show on the opening night and she was simply superb. When she became ill demand slowed and now that she is back and in great voice the show is topping our sales charts.”