LPA Ticket Attendance and Revenue Survey 2014

Photo: Henry V - Bell Shakespeare, Michele Mossop

ComedyClick for more info

The Comedy category experienced gains in attendance and revenue between 2013 and 2014, although revenue and attendances remained lower than 2011 and 2012 figures. Gross revenue increased by 8.9% from $41.47 million to $45.15 million. Total attendance rose by 5.5% while the average ticket price increased by 3.5% from $48.82 to $50.55.

As in previous years, revenue and attendances in the Comedy category largely came from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Sydney Comedy Festival. In 2014, the Brisbane Comedy Festival was also captured through new data provider Brisbane Powerhouse, which helps to explain the strong growth in that state.

Notable comedians who toured in 2014 included Dave Chappelle, Bill Bailey, Gabriel Iglesias, Wayne Brady, Alan Davies, Jeff Dunham and John Cleese. Local comedians who toured in 2014 included Denise Scott, Dave Hughes, Pam Ann and Anh Do.

The Comedy category was introduced in 2009, prior to which most comedy events were likely to have been classified as either Theatre or Festivals (Single-Category) events.

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Comedy - Revenue and Attendance (2009–2014)

Revenue ($) Growth (%) Total Attendance* Growth (%) Average Ticket Price ($)** Growth (%)
2009 $39,570,117 769,058 $54.06
2010 $39,048,164 -1.3% 792,713 3.1% $51.53 -4.7%
2011 $51,999,602 33.2% 1,011,342 27.6% $55.07 6.9%
2012 $48,694,665 -6.4% 981,035 -3.0% $53.55 -2.8%
2013 $41,473,321 -14.8% 912,609 -7.0% $48.82 -8.8%
2014 $45,154,726 8.9% 963,108 5.5% $50.55 3.5%

*Based on both paid and unpaid tickets

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

State/Territory Breakdown Close Table

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Comedy - Revenue by State/Territory (2014)

State/Territory Revenue ($) Proportion Industry Share Change From 2013 Attendance Proportion Industry Share Change From 2013
NSW $11,064,298 24.5% -2.1% 195,863 20.3% -1.5%
VIC $20,201,691 44.7% -0.5% 512,230 53.2% -3.5%
QLD $5,663,585 12.5% 4.4% 115,866 12.0% 6.0%
WA $5,362,062 11.9% -2.0% 86,032 8.9% -1.2%
SA $726,904 1.6% -0.6% 10,897 1.1% -0.7%
ACT $1,275,106 2.8% 0.2% 26,330 2.7% 0.3%
TAS $205,547 0.5% 0.4% 2,334 0.2% 0.2%
NT $655,533 1.5% 0.3% 13,556 1.4% 0.3%

Photo: Rhys Nicholson - Century Entertainment, Anneliese Nappa

Individual Category Results