'We are a canary in a coalmine as discretionary spending disappears... as consumer confidence declines, the brutal reality of what that canary experiences is starting to hit very close to home.'
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Sydney's Lyric Theatre has been dealt a blow with the cancellation of Waitress, a Broadway hit musical that was set to open on August 1. The show, starring Rob Mills and Natalie Bassingthwaighte, made history on Broadway with its four top creative spots filled with women and a storyline that embraces feminine power.
But according to producer John Frost, the devastating news was not unexpected. 'This decision was not made lightly. As many of you know, live theatre is deeply connected to audience demand, ticket sales, and broader economic conditions.' Frost confirmed the 'difficult decision' that Waitress would play its final performance in Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre on July 19.
The cancellations come on the heels of the abrupt cancellation of national dates for Beetlejuice last week. Two days ago, the producers of the Italian opera Aida, which was included at the Adelaide Festival next February, cancelled performances due to exorbitant rising costs.
Sydney Theatre Company's chief executive Anne Dunn warned on Thursday price-sensitive and risk-averse theatregoers are delaying ticket purchases and increasingly want the reassurance of a hit before they buy.
The live performance sector is not in a good place. Foundation Theatre's chief executive officer Graeme Kearns said he expected his theatres to be dark for 30 weeks over the next 10 months. Kearns said: '
We are a canary in a coalmine as discretionary spending disappears... as consumer confidence declines, the brutal reality of what that canary experiences is starting to hit very close to home.' He added that the economics of freight, interstate travel, and high-spec technical setups are proving difficult to sustain, especially during a cost-of-living squeeze.
In a sprawling country with just a handful of major theatrical hubs – mostly arrayed on the East Coast – the economics of the industry are coming under increasing pressure. Kearns continued: 'We are a canary in a coalmine as discretionary spending disappears... as consumer confidence declines, the brutal reality of what that canary experiences is starting to hit very close to home.'
It's clear that the cancellation of Waitress and other musical shows is a symptom of a wider issue in the live performance sector. With consumer confidence declining and the cost of living rising, discretionary spending is drying up.
Kearns has warned that the industry is facing a significant challenge, with many theatres expected to be dark for long periods. 'We are a canary in a coalmine as discretionary spending disappears... as consumer confidence declines, the brutal reality of what that canary experiences is starting to hit very close to home.'
But it's not just the theatres that are feeling the pinch – the entire live performance sector is under pressure. With many productions relying on advance sales, which are underwritten by a producer's confidence in the show's potential, the economics are becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.
So what happens next? With many theatres expected to be dark for long periods, it's likely that the live performance sector will continue to struggle. The cancellations of Waitress and other musical shows are a clear warning sign that the sector is facing a significant challenge.
The cancellations of musical shows are a symptom of a wider issue in the live performance sector. With consumer confidence declining and the cost of living rising, discretionary spending is drying up. Kearns has warned that the industry is facing a significant challenge, with many theatres expected to be dark for long periods. The cancellations of Waitress and other musical shows are a clear warning sign that the sector is facing a significant challenge.