STC Shatters Box Office Records

When single tickets went on sale for the second half of Sydney Theatre Company's 2013 season went on sale on Monday last week, people were expecting a busy day at the box office.

What they weren't expecting was that the Company's all-time one day box office sales record would be broken that day – or on the following day, either.

Almost 7,500 tickets were sold on Monday, and more than 5,500 were sold on Tuesday 12th February. Previously, STC's biggest box office day was 1 December 2009, when 5100 tickets were sold.

Executive Director Patrick McIntyre said: “2013 is shaping up to be an exceptional year for STC.

“Since the season was announced in September the interest has been intense. Season ticket sales are strong and demand for single tickets is very high.”

The unprecedented demand for tickets last week overwhelmed the STC website, causing it to crash. Nevertheless, while people have been purchasing by phone and over the counter, the majority of the 13,000 sales throughout these record-breaking days have been via the STC website.

“As we encountered some difficulties with online booking, we are very grateful that customers stuck by us for what was sometimes a frustrating experience,” McIntyre said.

“It is a priority for us to improve our online facility for major sales days.”

The hottest tickets at the box office in the last two days have been The Maids with Cate Blanchett and Isabelle Huppert, Waiting For Godot with Richard Roxburgh and Hugo Weaving and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead with Tim Minchin and Toby Schmitz.

This year, STC’s first two shows, The Secret River and School Dance, completely sold out. Mrs Warren’s Profession, opening next week has sold so strongly for its initial season that another run has been scheduled for July. For Little Mercy by Sisters Grimm and Dance Better at Parties by Gideon Obarzanek, there is now limited availability only, while Machinal by Sophie Treadwell has sold out.

For more information, or to try and snag a ticket now that the traffic has died down a little, contact STC on  (02) 9250 1777 or visit www.sydneytheatre.com.au