I think the article tries too hard at reading the runes for a relatively short period and trying to connect different trends. It also doesn't go into the effect of what is now thought of as 'stunt casting' in the theatre on ticket prices. Where it talks of Anthony Hopkins run in 85 -87, there wasn't much of a premium on the tickets. Now I suspect you'd be looking at prices starting around £300.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3gglv8y39vo
