Theatre and art shows are pricing lower income people out

[buttermuffintin]

Looking at theatre tickets and they are just so expensive these days to the point where we just don't go. We are a working class couple / family but enjoy seeing the odd play or even ballet but these days the tickets are just out of people like ours price range. In the past it felt like we could go to see something like this the odd time maybe a couple of times a year as a treat and maybe even have a meal out (something we rarely can afford) but these days it is just out of the question, which is depressing when we can't afford any sort of holiday or trips.

I also was looking at tickets for the Grayson Perry show in Edinburgh but it is £19 per person! I am grateful that we can afford food, heat and a roof over our heads but just because we are working class doesn't mean we don't enjoy some culture to enrich our lives now and then. It just feels like we are always priced out now.

I do understand that Theatre, the arts in general and hospitality suffered during the pandemic but surely the answer isn't to completely price lower income people out.

I’m not sure you appreciate just how much it costs to put on these productions

this is true not just of the arts but any sort of day out at the moment. Look at NT or english heritage prices, any other attractions etc.

@Tweddle I do understand but if it isn't inclusive to all income brackets then its failing the public.

It is very expensive to stage many productions and shows. Yes, some are making large profits, but others are paying artists a pittance and barely breaking even, despite today’s prices.

@mummymeister No I agree that is true but many heritage sites and arts organisations get public funding which means they should be inclusive to all and not just for rich people. After all my taxes go to help pay for them too.

The theatre isn’t a public service though. It is a business unfortunately, and meeting basic income and expenditure needs is a given. As is attempting profit.

@FussyPud Many do get public subsidy from the money we all pay in tax rich or poor but only the rich can afford to go.

I've always seen theatre and dance as fairly middle class luxuries - it's never been common for lower income people to go. I never went much when I was a kid (very low income, raised partly on benefits).

But I've been able to make use of lots of ways to get cheaper tickets as an adult, so we go fairly often. I'm disabled so I often get a free carer ticket, I use last minute seat filler websites, early bird ticket offers, local resident discounts, cheap tkts booth. I don't think I ever pay full price for tickets.

🤣🤣🤣

@maentir I am glad you find ways to go that make it affordable to you, it should be open to more people especially when we all help pay for it.

Glad you think its funny.

I find smaller theatres very reasonable. Our local is a tenner.

@Lastqueenofscotland2 We do try to make use of what is free and affordable when we can.

What sort of price do you think is reasonable? I’m only asking as I’m in London and £19 is an absolute steal for a theatre ticket here!

@MrHopsPortal If you read my OP £19 was a ticket for a timed slot to an art show in a gallery, not a theatre show.

I haven't seen this myself. We're off to the theatre tomorrow night. £10 per adult and £5 for each DC. It's a science show at the theatre. 😊

We're also off to orchestra soon (Disney music) and that was about £50 for 3 people.

I've always seen theatre and dance as fairly middle class luxuries - it's never been common for lower income people to go
That may have been your perception but it's just not true, not for theatre.

How old are you @buttermuffintin? Is Edinburgh where you live?

@Littleslippers I'm very please for you but I can't those kinds of prices.

Shout out to Aviva Studios Factory International, who are doing the opposite by making cheaper tickets available to those needing them. It is still pricey for a family of four at £8/£10 a ticket but they at least get it.
Shout out too to RHS Bridgewater whose levelling up for those on UC is an amazing thing to do. Add to these the galleries and museums that are free entry.
Look out for free NT tickets to win as well - they pop up quite often on In Your Area giveaways.

@Whataretheodds I live in central Scotland between Glasgow and Edinburgh, I'm early 40's.

If you live near a big town or city then there are generally cheap / free opportunities for culture. I do agree everyone should have access to cultural activities, but unfortunately not everything is affordable for everyone.

Does Edinburgh have any free art museums or galleries (it’s not a city I know that well, and I’m not that interested in art)? That could be an option rather than the £19 exhibition

I’ve just looked at prices at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. Tickets for opera this season start at £10 for opera and £9 for ballet, all on the main stage. Probably not the best views, though.

Okay so you can't afford £10 for a single adult ticket. But that's very reasonable.

You can't expect these things for free OP.

I tend to pay £20 for a West End show. £40 on Christmas week.

It sounds like you expect it to be free, when it is a business.

Tickets run from very cheap to £££ depending on how far in advance they are booked and where in the theatre you want to sit.

They also do a lottery for top price seats at £20. You only pay if you win a seat.

It is only temporary exhibitions like the Grayson Perry one which you have to pay for though. The art galleries main collections are free for everyone. I assume they have to generate funding to ensure this can happen and that they can continue to acquire more works and restore their current collection. I've seen that exhibition and it was worth every penny. If you are unemployed or supported income it only costs £5 which is great.

I would suggest you look at buying an Art Pass if you can afford the one off payment. That way you will get cheaper entry into many exhibitions. I appreciate this may be beyond your means.