Downturn in comedy takings

[unfrufru]

Laughs dry up as gloom hits festival

Daniel Ziffer
April 2, 2008

FEWER people are laughing as audiences dip at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Gloomy economic conditions, variable weather and the early start to Easter are being blamed for slow ticket sales.
Director Susan Provan said bookings were well down on last year, when ticket sales surged 20% to $9.2 million.
"It's a reflection of the doom and gloom," she said. "You ask yourself: 'Have I got $30 in my pocket to put down for a ticket?' It's terrifying for producers, but in the overall environment it's understandable."
Daily ticket sales are "a little bit up" on last year, she said, "but we're starting from a much lower base than last year. It's scary."
Yesterday marked the half-way point of the 26-day festival, which last year sold 400,000 tickets. So far, only 170,000 have been sold.
Producers of smaller acts are smarting as they see middle-band comics — with radio profiles or irregular TV work — play to meagre houses. "If they're tanking, how do you think we're doing?" one said.
Canadian Phil Nichol won the prestigious if.commeddies award in 2006, considered to be the world's highest honour for a comic. Yet on Sunday night he could only fill three or four rows of his room, which can hold about 150. And small crowds have also greeted accomplished imports Kristen Schaal, John Moloney and Will Hodgson.
Nova radio host Akmal Saleh has cancelled four shows, although his publicist blamed technical difficulties with the venue rather than slow sales. Local Kate McLennan was nominated for the Barry award for best show last year, but one Age reviewer saw her perform The Enthusiasts to about 15 people at a weekend show.
Outside the theatres, businesses that enjoy custom from the festival are noticing a drop in patronage. The owner of city bar Gin Palace, Vernon Chalker, said customer numbers were "definitely, noticeably down" in what is normally their best trading period of the year.
Last month, Westpac and the Melbourne Institute reported the level of consumer confidence in Australia had fallen to a 15-year low, sliding faster this year than at any time since sampling began.
Producers also point to a lack of audience development, the arena-sized Gala show and a lack of "buzz" about the event as reasons for the slow trade.
More than 300 acts are vying for attention at the annual event, which has grown 29% in the past two years.
The Age is a festival sponsor.