La Boite’s record breaker

La Boite Theatre Company General Manager Terese Casu has today confirmed that Artistic Director David Berthold’s critically acclaimed production of Hamlet has shattered the company’s previous box office records.

More than 10,000 people attended the production throughout its five week season, with 58% of tickets sold to first time ticket buyers.

Six of last week’s performances were sold out, and there were large waiting lists for every performance. The company released additional tickets for the final weekend to meet the public demand.

“David and I are thrilled by the result of Hamlet, not only have we exceeded all historic box office sales at La Boite, but we saw a vibrant new audience of young people flowing through our doors, some returning three or four times in groups to see this classic play. It has marked the beginning of great new chapter for La Boite,” Casu said.

Audiences and critics praised the contemporary reinvention of Shakespeare’s finest tragedy, showing their support for the company’s change in direction.

“If this is a true marker of the standard of production we can expect from La Boite with David Berthold at the helm then I for one am excited at the prospect of what the rest of the season will bring,” ABC reviewer Nigel Munro-Wallis said.

Hamlet also proved a smash hit for schools, with 66 groups traveling from as far away as Coffs Harbour and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland for the production.

Berthold was unable to attend yesterday’s closing performance as he is currently in London directing the West End premiere of Tommy Murphy’s celebrated Australian play Holding The Man.

“Congratulations and thank you to all – it was a big show with a striking result,” he said.

La Boite’s inaugural independent theatre season begins this week with acclaimed Queensland playwright Sven Swenson’s eagerly anticipated new play The Bitterling.