LPA Ticket Attendance and Revenue Report 2017

Photo: WOMADelaide 2017, Tony Lewis

Musical TheatreClick for more info

Musical Theatre infographic (PDF)

The Musical Theatre category experienced an increase in revenue by 19.9% from $347.7m in 2016 to $416.8m in 2017 and attendance by 22.6% from 3.3m in 2016 to 4.0m in 2017. The growth in revenue is slightly offset by the slight decrease in average ticket price by 1.4% from $111.21 in 2016 to $109.66 in 2017. Musical Theatre has experienced growth in revenue and attendance each year since 2014.

Growth in the Musical Theatre category can be attributed to an increase in the number of performances by major musical productions including The Book of Mormon, Aladdin, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Matilda, Kinky Boots, Muriel’s Wedding and My Fair Lady.

Victoria generated the highest market share of revenue (49.3%) and attendance (47.6%) in Musical Theatre. Victoria recorded the highest growth in revenue (59.2%) and attendance (56.3%) in this category. Major musicals that performed in Victoria included The Book of Mormon, My Fair Lady, Aladdin, and Kinky Boots. Queensland experienced significant growth of 34.4% in revenue and 32.5% in attendance. Major musicals that performed in Queensland included Kinky Boots, My Fair Lady, Matilda and The Bodyguard.

WA and SA experienced declines in revenue (40.2% and 2.4% respectively) and attendance (43.5% and 7.4% respectively) due to less major musical performances taking place in these states in 2017 compared to 2016. For example, in 2016 major musical The Lion King performed a season in Perth, and The Sound of Music performed in both WA and SA.

NSW experienced a decrease in revenue by 6.5% despite moderate growth in attendance by 6%. Major musicals that performed in NSW included Aladdin, Kinky Boots, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Muriel’s Wedding and My Fair Lady.

Close Table

Musical Theatre - Revenue and Attendance (2004–2017)

Revenue ($) Growth (%) Total Attendance* Growth (%) Average Ticket Price ($)** Growth (%)
2004 $138,718,880 1,847,505 $76.34
2005 $178,032,172 28.3% 2,460,314 33.2% $76.01 -0.4%
2006 $235,922,584 32.5% 2,806,153 14.1% $86.18 13.4%
2007 $228,854,618 -3.0% 3,358,727 19.7% $70.50 -18.2%
2008 $252,199,267 10.2% 3,129,729 -6.8% $89.23 26.6%
2009 $214,959,848 -14.8% 2,458,212 -21.5% $93.54 4.8%
2010 $242,897,364 13.0% 2,612,507 6.3% $98.84 5.7%
2011 $246,792,376 1.6% 2,799,918 7.2% $92.79 -6.1%
2012 $203,278,606 -17.6% 2,224,068 -20.6% $97.08 4.6%
2013 $193,389,763 -4.9% 2,085,131 -6.2% $100.94 4.0%
2014 $320,342,329 65.6% 3,182,478 52.6% $105.70 4.7%
2015 $334,869,038 4.5% 3,258,734 2.4% $108.13 2.3%
2016 $347,684,296 3.8% 3,298,051 1.2% $111.21 2.9%
2017 $416,802,525 19.9% 4,041,827 22.6% $109.66 0.9%

*Based on both paid and unpaid tickets

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

State/Territory Breakdown Close Table

Close Table

Musical Theatre - by State/Territory (2017)

State/Territory Revenue ($) Market Share Proportion Market Share Change from 2016 Attendance Market Share Proportion Market Share Change from 2016
NT $8,831 0.0% 0.0% 147 0.0% 0.0%
TAS $0 0.0% 0.0% 0 0.0% 0.0%
ACT $4,098,263 1.0% 0.4% 42,259 1.0% 0.1%
SA $16,176,774 3.9% -0.9% 156,878 3.9% -1.3%
WA $21,401,406 5.1% -5.2% 191,912 4.7% -5.5%
QLD $52,407,074 12.6% 1.4% 533,558 13.2% 1.0%
VIC $205,633,762 49.3% 12.2% 1,922,400 47.6% 10.3%
NSW $117,076,415 28.1% -7.9% 1,194,673 29.6% -4.6%

Photo: Dream Lover - Gordon Frost Organisation, Brian Geach

Individual Category Results