THEATRE PRICES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 922, 15 March 1930, Page 25

THEATRE PRICES

Mr. Tait Explains Their Increase COMPARISON WITH OLD DAYS Mr. F. S. Tait, of J. C. Williamson, Limited, tells why theatre prices cannot be the same as in the days gone by. Mr. Tait, writing in reply to a leading article in the Sydney “Evening

News” says it is considered that a great portion of the article is grossly unfair to his organisation, which has for many years maintained and employed an enormous number of people throughout the Commonwealth. “We take it that the main effect the article is meant to convey is that the prices of admission to legitimate theatres are today so much higher than they were in the days of Bland Holt- and that generation,” he states. “We consider it is grossly unfair for such a statement to be made without i more thought having been given to ! same. Consider the Cost “A comparison of the cost of not only theatrical productions, but of all classes of industry, will, we are sure, prove that the cost of production has easily doubled. It is, therefore, only fair to ask you to compare the increase in the cost of tickets. If Bland Holt was able to produce his plays for ss. in those days, and we are only charging at present 7s 9d for our

premier attractions, I am sure we are safe in saying that the prices have not increased anything like in proportion to the expenses. “Take newspaper advertising alone. I am sure the increase in the rate 3 has easily been doubled. The cost i of wardrobe, scenery, etc., to say nothing of very difficult union conditions of the theatrical industry, enormous increases in musicians’ wages, the infinitely higher rates that apply to firstclass artists, theatre rents, and last, hut not least, the imposition of the amusement tax amounting to 16 per cent, of the takings, which in itself is one of the most irksome burdens the theatrical industry has to carry —all these things will easily show that the operating expenses of the > theatrical managements of the pres- ] ent day are easily double what they i were 20 years ago. We quite agree j with the statement in the article ‘The j play’s the thing.’ ! "We might add that the average

light comedy or drama costs more a produce today than did the beat musical production in the days of Bland Holt, etc. In his time, chorus and ballet girls received approximately £2 a week. They were paid nothing for rehearsals prior to the production, whereas now we are compelled to pay them full salary prior to production, irrespective of whether they work or not. The average salaries for female chorus and ballet is approximately £5 a week, and for male choristers £6 a week. “The rates of stage-hands have been trebled, to say nothing of a similar state of affairs existing in all other branches of the industry.”