Agenda item

Members considered the service report card for the Princess Royal Theatre.

Members asked why there was a large change in ticket numbers in 2014/2015. Officers confirmed that this was because they had not been able to secure enough headline acts so this resulted in fewer tickets sold.

Members continued and asked how the figure of 50781 users equated to the low number of tickets sold and it was confirmed that this was because the theatre had been privately hired more during 2014/2015.

Officers were asked whether the theatre suffered from the ‘Swansea’ effect and in particular the Grand Theatre. Members were informed that it was in direct competition with the Grand Theatre which had 1200 seats as opposed to the Princess Royal Theatre which had 800.

Members asked whether the Theatre was on course to meet the target of 25-30 shows for 2016/2017 and it was confirmed that there had currently been 15 shows however, recently when trying to book certain acts they require a payment of up to £10,000 upfront and the service is not prepared to take this risk.

Following scrutiny the report was noted.