LPA Ticket Attendance and Revenue Survey 2015

Photo: Lore - Bangarra Dance Theatre, Jeff Tan

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The Theatre category experienced significant decline in revenue and attendance in 2015, with gross revenue falling from $99.71 million to $56.83 million, a decrease of 43%. Total attendance decreased by 24.5%, while the average ticket price fell from $73.83 to $56.81.

The Theatre category experienced some of the larger declines in both revenue and attendance. Although the subsidised sector experienced strong growth through increased revenue and attendance at AMPAG events, there was a significant decline in the number of commercial theatrical productions throughout the year. Large commercial productions, such as Mrs Brown's Boys, that generated strong revenue and attendance in 2014, did not return in 2015, which was a contributing factor to the decline in this category.

All states experienced negative growth in this category, with the most significant declines in revenue and attendance experienced in Western Australia with a decline in revenue (80%) and attendance (67%). New South Wales experienced a slight increase in attendance (1%) despite declining revenue (12%).

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Theatre - Revenue and Attendance (2004–2015)

Revenue ($) Growth (%) Total Attendance* Growth (%) Average Ticket Price ($)** Growth (%)
2004 $89,417,616 2,202,812 $43.87
2005 $73,988,892 -17.3% 2,117,854 -3.9% $38.04 -13.3%
2006 $143,564,232 94.0% 3,828,254 80.8% $39.42 3.6%
2007 $117,382,525 -18.2% 2,505,458 -34.6% $50.42 27.9%
2008 $80,476,671 -31.4% 1,944,188 -22.4% $46.92 -6.9%
2009 $64,440,541 -19.9% 1,602,591 -17.6% $46.58 -0.7%
2010 $60,151,139 -6.7% 1,354,336 -15.5% $51.47 10.5%
2011 $65,880,712 9.5% 1,380,622 1.9% $56.14 9.1%
2012 $82,973,259 25.9% 1,601,425 16.0% $59.86 6.6%
2013 $119,647,414 44.2% 1,842,177 15.0% $72.88 21.8%
2014 $99,714,555 -16.7% 1,504,367 -18.3% $73.83 1.3%
2015 $56,831,724 -43.0% 1,135,128 -24.5% $56.81 -23.0%

*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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Theatre - Revenue by State/Territory (2015)

State/Territory Revenue ($) Proportion Industry Share Change From 2015) Attendance Proportion Industry Share Change From 2015)
NSW $30,694,830 54.0% 18.9% 550,381 48.5% 12.3%
VIC $16,358,722 28.8% -2.1% 331,854 29.2% -0.5%
QLD $4,055,671 7.1% -4.8% 109,447 9.6% -2.9%
WA $2,623,132 4.6% -8.5% 66,187 5.8% -7.5%
SA $1,879,704 3.3% -2.6% 51,844 4.6% -1.4%
ACT $1,185,331 2.1% 0.2% 23,888 2.1% 0.5%
TAS/NT $34,333 0.1% 0% 1,527 0.1% 0%

Photo: North by Northwest - Kay + McLean Productions and Melbourne Theatre Company, Jeff Busby

Supplementary Data

The Theatre category drew attendance of 213,398 and generated $5.01 million in revenue, making it the third highest grossing category in terms of revenue and attendance. This category staged the highest number of performances (2,511), which account for 32.5% of the total number of performances staged. However, average revenue per performance ($1,995) and average attendance per performance (85) are well below the industry averages.

Key Organisations in Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia made the most significant contributions to this category generating 75% of total revenue. Major productions include A Midsummer Night’s Dream by La Boite Theatre Company and Caress Ache by Griffin Theatre Company.

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

Photo: North by Northwest - Kay + McLean Productions and Melbourne Theatre Company, Jeff Busby

Individual Category Results