Gifts Keep Ballet Company On Its Feet

Sydney Morning Herald

Tuesday May 6, 2008

Joyce Morgan

A LAVISH new production of The Nutcracker contributed to the Australian Ballet's $1.8 million operating loss last year, but private support helped turn this into a $1.4 million consolidated surplus.

The company's acting executive director, Patrick McIntyre, described it as a solid result and "a case study of how important philanthropic giving and endowment structures have become to arts organisation".

"We knew it was going to be an expensive year. Board and management committed to that production of The Nutcracker."

Adding to the cost was the need to build two versions of the set to fit the different venues.

But the production, choreographed by Sir Peter Wright for the Birmingham Royal Ballet, was well received at the box office, selling out in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

The Australian Ballet had not staged a traditional Nutcracker since 1982, and it will remain in the repertoire.

Audiences responded well to the 2007 season, in which the Australian Ballet also presented Don Quixote.

Audience attendances last year increased to 270,461 from 261,608 in 2006, and box office income rose by $2.36 million to $17.89 million.

Subscription audiences increased 3 per cent in Sydney and 11 per cent in Melbourne, but sponsorship declined slightly.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home