LPA Ticket Attendance and Revenue Survey 2014

Photo: Henry V - Bell Shakespeare, Michele Mossop

Circus and Physical TheatreClick for more info

The Circus and Physical Theatre category experienced sharp declines across the board between 2013 and 2014, in contrast to the strong growth experienced in 2013. Gross revenue decreased by 67.5% from $142.03 million to $46.09 million while total attendance decreased by 56.1%. The average ticket price also declined by 25.5% from $118.91 to $88.50.

Cirque du Soleil once again dominated this category, although the reduction in the number of its performances in 2014 helps to explain the significant decline in revenue and attendance. Following the success of its two 2013 productions (Ovo and Michael Jackson: The Immortal), Cirque du Soleil commenced the national Totem tour in Sydney during 2014, with the tour continuing into 2015. The timing of Totem over two calendar years helps to explain the skewed distribution of revenue and attendance by state. Only Sydney performances have been included in the 2014 Survey. Later performances of Totem in other states do not correspond to this survey period.

A number of other major events in the Circus and Physical Theatre category that were staged in 2013 did not return in 2014, including Empire presented by Spiegelworld and Slava’s Snowshow.

The Circus and Physical Theatre category was introduced in the 2009 Survey, prior to which such events were included in the Theatre or Children’s/Family categories.

Close Table

Circus and Physical Theatre - Revenue and Attendance (2009–2014)

Revenue ($) Growth (%) Total Attendance* Growth (%) Average Ticket Price ($)** Growth (%)
2009 $8,601,990 198,274 $47.98
2010 $9,900,116 15.1% 265,837 34.1% $43.03 -10.3%
2011 $55,865,945 464.3% 728,799 174.2% $86.81 101.8%
2012 $54,042,789 -3.3% 555,506 -23.8% $103.67 19.4%
2013 $142,033,217 162.8% 1,285,991 131.5% $118.91 14.7%
2014 $46,094,984 -67.5% 564,676 -56.1% $88.60 -25.5%

*Based on both paid and unpaid tickets

** Average Ticket Prices are calculated based only on paid tickets

State/Territory Breakdown Close Table

Close Table

Circus and Physical Theatre - Revenue by State/Territory (2014)

State/Territory Revenue ($) Proportion Industry Share Change From 2013 Attendance Proportion Industry Share Change From 2013
NSW $28,235,676 61.3% 45.7% 281,368 49.8% 33.8%
VIC $7,274,044 15.8% -18.2% 121,422 21.5% -11.7%
QLD $5,347,577 11.6% -0.2% 84,913 15.0% 1.0%
WA $3,296,917 7.2% -21.4% 39,191 6.9% -18.2%
SA $1,190,826 2.6% -6.3% 23,485 4.2% -5.5%
ACT $402,294 0.9% -0.4% 7,036 1.2% -0.5%
TAS $0 0.0% 0.0% 0 0.0% 0.0%
NT $347,651 0.8% 0.7% 7,261 1.3% 1.2%

Photo: S Circa, Ben Knapton

Individual Category Results