LPA Ticket Attendance and Revenue Survey 2016

Photo: Kinky Boots, Michael Cassel Group, Matthew Murphy

Circus and Physical TheatreClick for more info

Circus and Physical Theatre experienced a decline of 26.2% in ticket sales revenue from $99.6m in 2015 to $73.4m in 2016 and a decrease in attendance of 13.9% from 0.97m in 2015 to 0.84m in 2016. This category can be variable depending on the presence or absence of major tours by international companies in any given year, particularly Cirque du Soleil.

The decline in revenue and attendance can be primarily attributed to Cirque du Soleil holding less performances in 2016 compared to 2015. In 2016 Cirque du Soleil performed QUIDAM in Hobart and Newcastle, and KOOZA in Sydney and Brisbane. Other major events in this category included Dynamo and Circus 1903.

Positive and negative growth experienced in each state and territory was primarily driven by the presence or absence of performances by Cirque du Soleil. The states that Cirque du Soleil toured to (NSW, Queensland and Tasmania) all experienced significant growth in revenue and attendance, whereas states and territories that Cirque du Soleil did not tour to (Victoria, SA, WA, ACT and NT) all experienced significant declines.

Close Table

Circus and Physical Theatre - Revenue and Attendance (2009–2016)

Revenue ($) Growth (%) Total Attendance* Growth (%) Average Ticket Price ($)** Growth (%)
2009 $8,601,990 198,274 $47.98
2010 $9,900,116 15.1% 265,837 34.1% $43.03 -10.3%
2011 $55,865,945 464.3% 728,799 174.2% $86.81 101.8%
2012 $54,042,789 -3.3% 555,506 -23.8% $103.67 19.4%
2013 $142,033,217 162.8% 1,285,991 131.5% $118.91 14.7%
2014 $46,094,984 -67.5% 564,676 -56.1% $88.60 -25.5%
2015 $99,558,819 116.0% 974,645 72.6% $109.41 23.5%
2016 $73,439,491 -26.2% 838,980 -13.9% $96.56 -11.7%

*Based on both paid and unpaid tickets

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

State/Territory Breakdown Close Table

Close Table

Circus and Physical Theatre - by State/Territory (2016)

State/Territory Revenue ($) Market Share Proportion Change from 2015 Attendance Market Share Proportion Change from 2015
NSW $36,259,497 49.4% 140.0% 346,002 41.2% 122.1%
VIC $9,138,614 12.4% -67.5% 162,278 19.3% -43.1%
QLD $15,357,947 20.9% -10.3% 157,907 18.8% 0.2%
WA $5,417,525 7.4% -73.2% 60,557 7.2% -66.5%
SA $2,699,405 3.7% -75.4% 48,602 5.8% -55.1%
ACT $978,979 1.3% -87.2% 20,652 2.5% -74.0%
TAS $3,418,945 4.7% N/A 38,644 4.6% N/A
NT $168,579 0.2% -60.7% 4,338 0.5% -44.3%

Photo: TWENTYSIXTEEN - Circus Oz, Rob Blackburn

Individual Category Results