Author: Wharton, John F.

Publication Year: 1974

Media Type: Report

Summary:

Like A Fresh Look at Theatre Tickets, this report is my report to the Commission. It does not necessarily represent the views of the individual members of the Commission. The recommendations at the end of the report are, again, my recommendations, which the Commission may or may not follow.

Abstract:

Report to the Legitimate Theatre Industry Exploratory Commission.

Like A Fresh Look at Theatre Tickets, this report is my report to the Commission. It does not necessarily represent the views of the individual members of the Commission. The recommendations at the end of the report are, again, my recommendations, which the Commission may or may not follow.

Originally this report was to have been issued with A Fresh Look at Theatre Tickets. However, the problems of ticket distribution and the innumerable laws affecting those problems proved to be so complicated that it was decided to take up one item at a time. The Commission is still trying to educate the public, press and political office-holders as to the real problems of ticket distribution.

One facet of the ticket problem bears directly on theatrical financing. This is the money which a certain section of the theatregoing public pays to speculators. Contrary to the propaganda issued by misguided reformers, payments in excess of the printed price of a ticket does not mulct the theatregoing public; no ticket buyer has to pay those prices; if he does, it's because he wants the privilege of a good seat, purchased at a late date, and he gets value for what he buys. However, the payment of these excess sums to speculators does mulct the honest theatre owner, the honest producer and his backers. If this money could go to the industry instead of the speculators, the risk of theatrical financing would be very much less. If the free enterprise theatre were really free, and could capture even a fair share of the money now going to speculators, it would be an enormous stimulus to more and better productions.

In connection with play financing, I believe the Commission would do well to explore the following:

1. A publicity campaign directed at the financial communities, here and elsewhere, giving the truth about the theatre. The facts are much more favorable than even the industry believes. If this is to be done, I would recommend using the League's current public relations advisers, because of their connections in the financial world. This is a quite separate world from the one known to our own press agents.
2. An approach to the professional money market to enlist aid in
      (a) obtaining repeal of legislation which blocks a sensible ticket policy,
      (b), the institution of a sensible policy, and
      (c) a fund to finance productions after such policy has been put into effect.
3. Putting into effect a research study of the data needed to support the foregoing.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Fundraising