The Australian premiere of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, presented by Melbourne Theatre Company and Arts Centre Melbourne, generated an estimated $10.7 million in economic benefit to the State, a study by Culture Counts has revealed.
This substantial positive impact is comprised of funds that would not otherwise have been spent if not for Melbourne Theatre Company and Arts Centre Melbourne’s co-presentation of Curious Incident.
Over 41 days, the Curious Incident cast and production team staged 50 performances and attracted a total audience of 46,405.
84 per cent of the audience indicated that Curious Incident was their main reason for visiting Melbourne and 20 per cent of overseas audiences extended their stay because of it.
MTC Executive Director Virginia Lovett said, ‘The arts contribute so much to our society, enriching lives, sparking imagination, creating jobs and driving economic growth. Curious Incident is only one of the eleven productions in our 2018 Season and this study represents activity over just seven weeks of the year. If you tally the impact of our full season, year after year, there’s no denying that theatre makes a considerable and positive contribution to the Victorian economy. Our creative industries drive jobs creation and build future skills, positioning Victoria as a leader in this field.’ Ms Lovett said.
Demonstrating the substantial flow on effect investment in the arts has for other industries, the report revealed that $3.05 million was spent in Melbourne on industries such as hospitality, transport, accommodation and retail as a result of attending Curious Incident.
In addition, the production encouraged greater engagement with the arts through the Associated Program of events that ran during the season. The Associated Program included industry and school workshops, public talks and tours, a relaxed performance and masterclasses.
43 events were held as part of the Associated Program – the most extensive offering of ancillary events for a production at Arts Centre Melbourne ever – with a total attendance of 5,180, including 570 people at the relaxed performance.
Arts Centre Melbourne CEO Claire Spencer said, ‘It was really important for us that all Victorians had the opportunity to engage with, learn about and be transformed by this wonderful production. The exceptional ancillary program created by our team was not only our most extensive, it was our most successful! We couldn’t be happier.’
A ticket pricing structure with tickets as low as $5 for disadvantaged schools and some fully subsidised through Arts Centre Melbourne’s First Call Fund enabled this show to be fully accessible to thousands of people.
Melbourne Theatre Company and Arts Centre Melbourne’s co-presentation of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time played from 11 January – 25 February at Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse.
Published on 9 April 2018