People often complain that the reason they don’t go out to see shows is because they’re so expensive. Once you factor in your own variables, like parking and babysitters, it can add up to quite a pretty penny.
Some of our theatres are publically funded to help offset the costs, but with the exception of our country’s Fringe Festivals and some local groups, it’s rare that you can see something for less than $30.
So let’s really break it down. The Lion King, which is on tour across Canada and the US right now, is about to open in Toronto. Ticket prices range from $45 to $180.
Why so big a difference? The closer you are to the stage, the more expensive the seats. It’s that simple.
What’s a little trickier is that day and time. In general, matinees are cheaper, as are Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Friday and Saturday nights are always the most expensive because traditionally they’re the most fashionable days to see a show.
Ok, you say, I get that. But movie tickets are $12 not $45, so what’s the difference? Why is the movie cheaper? That’s easy: the movie is made and paid for once, and then can play in thousands of theatres around the world at the same time. Stage shows cannot.
Michael Carey, head carpenter for The Lion King tour puts it into perspective for us. “It takes 10 days to load in, and between 70-100 people to do it.” There are 250 puppets in the show, they bring in the actual stage and lay train tracks which they use to move the sets around. The Pride Rock set piece alone weighs 8500 pounds.
Michael elaborates further. “Each set of costumes averages $65,000 to $75,000 per person in the cast. You try and recycle as much as you can, but a lot of times you have to start from scratch, depending on the size and shapes of the replacement performers coming in. We have a full time day crew and a full time 3 person puppets department who maintain the show every day. They do 40 hours a week solely of puppet repairs.”
That’s not all. “Because we are a moving production, it does take more wear and tear, so we spend an incredible amount of time making sure it looks fresh and brand new every time an audience comes in.”
That’s not even taking into account the union fees, performance rights, legal bills and insurance payments.
Says Michael “the original price tag for the tour was $26,000,000.”
John Karastamatis, Director of Communications for Mirvish Productions, puts it like this: “It’s not as expensive to build a sit down company as a touring company, because things don’t have to be built to tour, they don’t have to be portable. But the minimum is between 15 and 20 million. So then you have to say how long can we play? If you can play 4 years, then it’s worthwhile. But nobody knows the answer to that these days.”
That’s quite a hefty price tag and to be honest, bigger doesn’t always mean better. I’ve seen community theatre shows tI’ve enjoyed more than some of the glitzy US touring productions that come through town. Sometimes though, there truly are “must see” shows. Visually, you rarely see as big or as wonderful a treat as you do with The Lion King.
Is it worth the ticket price? You know I’m biased and will always say yes, but I’ll let you know what my son says after opening night.
For the record, my daughter still talks about seeing Wicked last fall, and that says quite a lot.
It’s just the kind of event that sequin jackets and fur stoles are MADE for!!
if i had the money i would be there all the time. when you see all that is put in, the shows are a real bargain, imo. i’m with tracey, put some effort in to going out people! this is an event, not an hbo special.
Thank you so much for this post. Many members of my family (10 of us in total) are going to see this at the end of May. While I’m thrilled for my boys to have this experience and enjoy the live theatre, we do only go once or twice a year because it does seem so expensive (we’re a family of 5), but this helps put it in perspective.
Would love to hear yours and your son’s thoughts once you see the show. Enjoy!
I agree. I miss the old days when people made it an “event.”
Live theatre (like live music) is an entirely different experience… and worth every penny in my books. I can’t go often, but when I do, I spend what it costs, dress up, and enjoy myself thoroughly. (As I note this, I realise this is why I loathe when people dress ridiculously casually… no, I don’t want to see your ballcap and teva sandals at the theatre, buddy – no thanks.)