New York luring back visitors

Ticket sales have recovered to 90% of their pre-September level

By BBC News Online's Joseph Winter in New York

Five weeks after the suicide attacks on New York, the bright lights of Broadway's theatreland are starting to regain some of their past lustre.

In the days immediately after 11 September, theatres were deserted as tourists and New Yorkers stayed at home, but now official figures show that box office sales are back up to 90% of their normal rate.

This will help me take my mind off Ground Zero

Theatre-goer

However, it was still not difficult to get tickets for the hit comedy musical Chicago and there were several rows of empty seats inside the Shubert Theatre.

And around 30 tickets had been given to members of the security forces by the League of American Theatres and Producers to say thank you for their help at the World Trade Center ruins.

One member of the National Guard told BBC News Online: "This will help me take my mind off Ground Zero. We've been working 14-hour shifts for a week-and-a-half now."

Inside, for two-and-a-half hours, all thoughts of hijacked planes, anthrax and bunker-busting bombs were brushed aside by the razzle and dazzle which has made Broadway famous.

Anxieties

From the early afternoon, several hundred people had queued for discounted theatre tickets at the half-price ticket booth in Times Square.

The cast of Chicago gave away tickets to members of the security forces

Some had heeded Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's call for Americans to take their holidays in New York to help the city's devastated economy, while many foreign tourists had overcome their anxieties to visit the Big Apple.

Theatre buffs Gary Robb and Michael Plant, from California and Maine, had intended to spend their holiday in Canada but switched to New York and now plan to see eight shows during their six-day trip.

"I wondered what I could do to help," said Mr Robb, "I already sent my tax rebate cheque to the firefighters."

He said that they had found "phenomenal" rooms in one of New York's best hotels for half-price on the internet and they don't regret coming "for a minute".

While some feel they are doing their patriotic duty by going to Broadway, others are too afraid, either of flying or anthrax.

"Half of our group cancelled," said Ida Crist from Idaho, "I feel apprehensive but at least I made it."

Restaurants suffering

As well as going to the theatre, New Yorkers are also being urged to eat out at restaurants to help kick start shattered businesses.

What's the point of attracting people if they can't get in

Bruno Fairbairn, Coffee bar manager

Some of the city's best eating places are offering dinner for a cut-price $30 but this will not do much for smaller establishments near Ground Zero.

The main entrance to Timothy's coffee bar on Pine Street, in the heart of the financial district, is blocked by scaffolding.

The only way in is through a side door past a security check-point where you have to show an identity card - not exactly the best way to encourage new customers to sample a cafe latte.

Manager Bruno Fairbairn¿s mood matches the melancholy jazz playing behind the counter as he says that business has declined by over 50%.

He has been distributing two-for-one drinks vouchers but wonders: "What's the point of attracting people if they can't get in?"

And the dust which still hangs in the air of downtown Manhattan leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, overpowering even the most appetising aromas wafting out of the area's exotic kitchens.

Nervous customers

Kiran¿s restaurant has a sign in the window which reads: "Please come in and help Kiran rebuild its business."

Businesses hope the upturn will also reach hard-hit restaurants

But it doesn't seem to be working as inside there are just seven customers where manager Amit Saha says there would normally be 30 or 40.

The picture is slightly rosier at the Spaghetti Western, a traditional American neighbourhood bar-diner.

Bartender Margo Currie says that nights are still slow but bar sales are holding up well because "people are very jumpy right now and they're slugging a few more cocktails".

"After what they've been through, they have more serious things to worry about than whether they should have a glass of wine with their lunch."

So is business getting back to normal?

"Normal's a different word now."