LPA Ticket Attendance and Revenue Survey 2015

Photo: Lore - Bangarra Dance Theatre, Jeff Tan

ComedyClick for more info

The Comedy category experienced significant gains in attendance and revenue between 2014 and 2015, surpassing the peak revenue and attendance figures recorded in 2011 and 2012. Gross revenue increased by 21.6% from $45.15 million to $54.92 million. Total attendance rose by 3% while the average ticket price increased significantly by 18.9% from $50.55 to $60.11.

As in previous years, revenue and attendances in the Comedy category largely came from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Sydney Comedy Festival. Notable comedians that toured in 2015 included Dylan Moran, Billy Connelly and Noel Fielding, while local comedians Carl Barron and Jim Jeffries also had successful tours in 2015.

All states and territories saw an increase in revenue and attendance, with the exception of Western Australia that experienced a decrease in revenue (17%) and attendance (37%). The highest increases in revenue and attendance were recorded in South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT.

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 (2009–2015)

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%
2015 $54,924,280 21.6% 992,399 3.0% $60.11 18.9%

*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 (2015)

State/Territory Revenue ($) Proportion Industry Share Change From 2015) Attendance Proportion Industry Share Change From 2015)
NSW $11,755,262 21.4% -3.1% 139,997 14.1% -6.2%
VIC $25,517,580 46.5% 1.7% 555,999 56.0% 2.8%
QLD $7,338,913 13.4% 0.8% 150,420 15.2% 3.1%
WA $4,460,181 8.1% -3.8% 54,421 5.5% -3.4%
SA $2,605,456 4.7% 1.1% 34,368 3.5% 2.3%
ACT $2,135,656 3.9% 1.1% 37,433 3.8% 1.0%
TAS $377,898 0.7% 0.2% 3,297 0.3% 0.1%
NT $733,334 1.3% -0.1% 16,464 1.7% 0.3%

Photo: Opening Night - Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2015, Jim Lee

Supplementary Data

The Comedy category drew attendance of 127,732 and generated $5.42 million in revenue. This category is ranked second in terms of industry revenue, due to a high average ticket price ($43.99) and few unpaid tickets (4% of total attendance). This category staged 298 performances, which generated average revenue of $18,185 per performance due to a high average attendance rate of 429 per performance. The Melbourne International Comedy Festival: Roadshow 2015 most likely contributed significantly to this category.

Regional and metropolitan venues generated the vast majority of revenue and attendance for this category. Notable venues include Civic Theatre (NSW) and Geelong Performing Arts Centre (VIC). Amongst Key Organisations, companies in Western Australia were the sole contributor to this category.

Note: This data is supplementary to the 2015 primary ticketing survey data.

Photo: Opening Night - Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2015, Jim Lee

Individual Category Results