Where are the audiences?
Sat, 3 Oct 2009, 12:47 pmGordon the Optom18 posts in thread
Where are the audiences?
Sat, 3 Oct 2009, 12:47 pm Over the past six months especially, I have noticed that the attendance figures at the local theatres have been much lower than normal.
It seems to make very little difference if the show is the best production of the year, whether it has outstanding acting performances or even if the weather is fine.
A year ago I would turn up, fingers crossed, at the well-established community theatres hoping to get a seat, only to be disappointed when the show was a sell-out. Now they are often only 30-40% full.
The past month I have seen shows with 20 in the audience. The least I have witnessed was 6 for a superb play.
The very interesting survey on this site shows ‘musicals’ as the winner. Yet I have heard of a group that wished to put on a musical, but who had to give up through lack of actors. Could it be that this survey was answered mainly by actors or people closely connected to the profession, and that the real shows that bring the bums-on-seats brigade are the TV comedies – Fawlty Towers, Black Books, Dad’s Army – packed every night. Sold out weeks in advance.
Are the acting groups putting on what they alone want? Are the producers / directors making the wrong choice? Is it the variable and sometimes dodgy venue comfort? Parking – not safe or expensive? Or could it be we don’t really know our audiences’ ages, likes and demands? Would the cost of giving a free sherry be better spent on heating the venue?
It seems to make very little difference if the show is the best production of the year, whether it has outstanding acting performances or even if the weather is fine.
A year ago I would turn up, fingers crossed, at the well-established community theatres hoping to get a seat, only to be disappointed when the show was a sell-out. Now they are often only 30-40% full.
The past month I have seen shows with 20 in the audience. The least I have witnessed was 6 for a superb play.
The very interesting survey on this site shows ‘musicals’ as the winner. Yet I have heard of a group that wished to put on a musical, but who had to give up through lack of actors. Could it be that this survey was answered mainly by actors or people closely connected to the profession, and that the real shows that bring the bums-on-seats brigade are the TV comedies – Fawlty Towers, Black Books, Dad’s Army – packed every night. Sold out weeks in advance.
Are the acting groups putting on what they alone want? Are the producers / directors making the wrong choice? Is it the variable and sometimes dodgy venue comfort? Parking – not safe or expensive? Or could it be we don’t really know our audiences’ ages, likes and demands? Would the cost of giving a free sherry be better spent on heating the venue?
I agree Gordon
Sat, 3 Oct 2009, 09:17 pmOkay Gordon, would never argue that successful TV comedies will always gather an audience. For that matter, any play that has been worked as a book/TV/Film will gather an audience on rep alone.
Popcorn sells out because the Ben Elton fans come.
Streetcar Named Desire sold out - Brando fans perhaps? (Perhaps thats doing Danni a disservice - she has her own fan club :))
And yes, Trainspotting sold out - first Blak Yak play to do so for some time and a One Act as well. I'd like to think it was the quality of the production but the fact is it was title alone that drew people from the straw poll I ran.
Pop Culture is a currency that the man in the street has embraced in the last decade or so and that has affected even theatre audiences.
The rude interpretation is that audiences want more of what they've already seen. The reality is probably that audiences want to see theatre but are not prepared to spend hard-earned dosh on something they are not familiar with. You have pointed out in the last day or so that Renegade have produced another quality production. i have no doubt of this - Joe Lui and team do quality work. For that matter I've enjoyed Jeffrey Jay Fowler's plays (missed History of Drinking dammit) but that was because I simply turned up and gave it a go. Jeffrey himself will no doubt recognise that while he may do quality theatre, he shouldn't expect rave reviews in the West et al.
Community theatre turns to well worn TV comedies in theatre simply because of the Bums on Seats syndrome. Without TV comedies as a fall back, I can think of one community theatre group that may be in trouble financially. And that same group has produced Finley Award winners last two years!!!! For plays that no-one (well, virtually no one) went to see!!!!!!!!
Choice of proudction, sadly, will be dicated by expected audience going forward as clubs grapple with rising rents, insurance, etc, etc, etc.
I have no doubt that quality theatre is going unseen Gordon.
Perhaps those of us who consider ourselves 'involved'in Community Theatre should venture out more?
Thanks for bringing to the fore something I've ruminated on myself.
Oh, and as regards musicals - I can't think of a Playlovers musical that has struggled for either auditionees or audience in recent years. It is interesting that you mention a play that has had difficulty being cast.