More and more people are buying their theatre tickets closer to the performance date. There is a wide variation in the occupancy rate, but a hit play can quickly change the situation.
You can still see hand-held bottles in theatres, but for the most part Finnish theatres have got back on their feet after the pandemic. Korona was the worst crisis in Finnish theatre history. Even during the war, theatres were not closed for such long periods as during the years of the Korona.
– It is widely observed that people buy their theatre tickets much closer to the performance time than before,” says Paavolainen.
Naturally, this is a headache for theatres, as it makes it more difficult to anticipate. It is challenging to know whether a performance will be sold out and how much revenue will be generated.
The number of viewers in theaters as a whole has still not reached the times before the corona. According to Paavolainen, one of the factors for this is the fact that group sales have not recovered.
The cancellations, transfers and restrictions caused by Corona were understandably challenging, especially for the group leaders, whose responsibility it has been to take care of the tickets, transportation and perhaps catering on behalf of the entire group.
– The previously active group leaders may have had enough during the corona period and now we should find new groups and leaders.
There are also regional differences in the occupancy rate of theaters. According to Kaisa Paavolainen, many theaters in big cities are doing well. In the provinces, recovery from the corona virus and people getting out and about has been slower.
– For example, in Eastern Finland, the impact of the world situation on the vitality of the whole of Eastern Finland can be seen. This also has an impact on individual people’s purchasing power and economic prospects.
However, Paavolainen reminds that the situation can change quickly if a hit show that attracts a lot of audiences is added to the theater repertoire.
Women’s stories fill the big stages in Helsinki
The public has also found the new Maalamosal of the National Theatre, where Break! -play is performed to full audiences.
Ticket sales for groups are also brisk at the National Theatre, but the number of people in the groups is slightly smaller than before the corona virus. Reservations and decisions are also made in a shorter cycle than before.
Finland’s largest theater, the Helsinki City Theatre, has already had nine premieres this year. Two are still waiting to arrive.
– The Little Mermaid returned to the program this fall and has sold well. However, the demand for tickets is divided between several productions.
For example, the *Dear Evan Hansen* musical, which premiered in September and tells the story of mental health problems among young people, has also attracted interest.
The tighter economic situation is not reflected in interim services either. Coffee and sparkling wine are ordered in the same way as before.
– Going to the theater is still something we are ready to invest in, says Eljaala.
Tampere theatres have a mixed ticket sales situation
In Tampere’s two big theaters, the box office situation in the fall seems to vary.
Kanninen believes that general inflation can even benefit theaters.
– Theater ticket prices are determined well in advance. Maybe they are not so terribly expensive compared to concert or gig tickets, which react to change much more dynamically, Kanninen reflects.
Kautto admits that the big stage is a financially risky place.
– It still cannot be subordinated to commercial efforts only, but there must be other goals as well. We are a state-supported institution, and I think one of the reasons for the support is that we are not forced to make all decisions solely on commercial grounds.
Kirka musical draws a crowd in Rovaniemi
– We are even 25 percent ahead of last fall’s well-sold, which means tickets are selling really well.
The theater’s program includes up to six premieres in the fall, of which the musical *Kirka – surun tyurit silmistäni* has garnered a lot of popularity.
Another of the big theaters in the north, the Kemi theater has made a comeback. The Kemi City Theater, founded in 1947, was closed less than a year ago. The new association-based Kemin Teatteri started its operations at the beginning of this year.
A stage and a 180-seat grandstand have been built in the former banking hall.
*What kind of thoughts did the story evoke? You can comment on the topic until Thursday, October 19 at 11 pm.*