LPA Ticket Attendance and Revenue Survey 2015

Photo: Lore - Bangarra Dance Theatre, Jeff Tan

Musical TheatreClick for more info

Between 2014 and 2015, the Musical Theatre category experienced an increase in revenue and attendance. Gross revenue grew by 4.5% from $320.34 million to $334.87 million, while total attendance grew by 2.4%. Growth in revenue coincided with an increase in average ticket price by 2.3% from $105.70 to $108.13.

Major events in the Musical Theatre category in 2015 included Anything Goes, Dirty Dancing, Les Misérables, The Lion King, Hugh Jackman Live and Wicked. Significant growth was experienced in Western Australia with an increase in revenue by 48% and attendance by 13%. Wicked and Dirty Dancing had seasons in Perth in 2015, and The Lion King had a season in Perth for the first time in its 20 year run.

Queensland experienced an increase in revenue (19%) and attendance (23%), as did Victoria with stable growth in revenue (12%) and attendance (6%). Revenue and attendance grew significantly in the ACT due primarily to the strong performance of Sweet Charity. South Australia saw declining revenue (34%) and attendance (44%) in this category, as did New South Wales experience a decline in revenue (10%) and attendance (5%).

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Musical Theatre - Revenue and Attendance (2004–2015)

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%

*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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Musical Theatre - Revenue by State/Territory (2015)

State/Territory Revenue ($) Proportion Industry Share Change From 2015) Attendance Proportion Industry Share Change From 2015)
NSW $108,434,253 32.4% -5.1% 1,068,617 32.8% -2.7%
VIC $134,201,517 40.1% 2.5% 1,271,244 39.0% 1.2%
QLD $55,866,357 16.7% 2.0% 576,132 17.7% 2.9%
WA $23,451,240 7.0% 2.1% 207,503 6.4% 0.6%
SA $9,914,302 3.0% -1.7% 97,011 3.0% -2.5%
ACT $1,988,000 0.6% 0.5% 27,812 0.9% 0.7%
TAS/NT $1,013,370 0.3% 0% 10,415 0.3% 0%

Photo: Ladies in Black - Queensland Theatre Company, Rob Maccoll

Supplementary Data

The Musical Theatre category drew attendance of 121,447 and generated revenue of $3.58 million in 2015. Average ticket prices in this category ($37.76) aligns with the industry average of ($37.43). Musical Theatre staged a total of 418 performances with each performance drawing an average attendance of 291 and average revenue of $8,576 per performance.

Regional and metropolitan venues generated 99% of total revenue for this category. Notable venues include Illawarra Performing Arts Centre with performances of Helpmann Award-winning musical Sweet Charity.

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

Photo: Ladies in Black - Queensland Theatre Company, Rob Maccoll

Individual Category Results