The show must go on: musical theatre cancellations lead to industry calls for urgent government help
Summary
Two major musical tours and an opera canceled shows in Australia due to rising costs and lower ticket sales. Industry leaders are asking the government to change tax rules to help keep live theatre running.Key Facts
- The musicals Waitress and Beetlejuice canceled parts of their Australian tours because of high production and touring costs.
- Waitress ended its Melbourne run early and will not go to Sydney as planned.
- Beetlejuice stopped its tour after Brisbane and canceled shows in Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney.
- Rising costs include production expenses, touring logistics, and impacts from the cost of living and interest rate rises.
- The opera Aida canceled its Adelaide shows planned for 2027 due to increased costs linked to international conflicts.
- Losing these shows means many theatre workers, like performers and technical staff, are out of jobs for months.
- Theatre leaders say buying tickets is a major personal expense, making it harder for audiences to commit.
- Industry experts want government tax reforms to help the theatre sector survive these challenges.
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