London Theatre Direct Co-Founders step down

London Theatre Direct (LTD) FRANCIS HELLYER and EMMANUEL CIOLFI have announced they are stepping away from the company.

The pair founded the ticket retailer and distributor 23 years ago and it now sells tickets for London musicals, plays, dance, performances, operas and comedy shows.

It was one of the first UK theatre ticket websites and the very first to introduce live interactive seating plans for all London theatres. 

“Francis and I started LTD 23 years ago when we were just kids in the back bedroom of our South London flat, with a simple idea to try and sell some tickets using the internet,” Ciolfi said.

“Nobody else was doing it, and at the start of the internet revolution all we needed was some basic programming, a computer, and a printer.” 

LTD was acquired by Trafalgar Entertainment in 2019 and has continued to partner with leading theatres and producers in the West End and UK. 

Hellyer, who began his professional career as a Technical Analyst for the BBC and leaves LTD to work on new ideas involving the metaverse, said he could never have imagined how big the company would become.

“It’s an amazing testament to the strength of the brand, and the wonderful team who helped us get there,” he added. 

LTD’s CEO HELEN ENRIGHT thanked the pair for their commitment, hard work, energy and drive over the years as she wished them both well for the future. 

“[They] have created and built from scratch, a pioneering, award-winning, theatre ticketing business, that has always led from the front. Forward-thinking, technologically advanced, and instantly recognisable, LTD is strongly positioned to continue this success story.”