Duceppe's season rescued by "Janette" (rephrased): Janette plays key role in reviving Duceppe's season.

Struggling Quebec Theatres: A Deep Dive

Does the future look bleak for Quebec's cultural scene? Numerous stages, from major institutions to beloved historical venues, are currently teetering on the edge of bankruptcy—and for different reasons. Let's delve into the issue, starting with Amélie Duceppe, general director of a struggling theatre.

"Initially, I'd have said Duceppe was headed for another year in the red at the end of April. But Janette swooped in to save the day!" Amélie explains, referring to a successful production about celebrated figure Janette Bertrand, played by Guylaine Tremblay. To balance their budget, Duceppe needed 30,000 spectators and 12 extra shows.

"We sold all the tickets in two days, which crashed the website. It's incredible." Nevertheless, Amélie ponders, "is it normal for 96% of my 747-seat hall to be sold out just to reach budgetary equilibrium?"

The 2022-2023 season saw 91% attendance, yet a deficit of $202,340. "There was a deficit despite the 50th anniversary, during which we, unfortunately, invested more," Amélie recalls. Despite the previous year's surplus of $155,489, they made a conscious decision to "celebrate hard" with a lavish show.

"But how come I'm only making it this year because of Incendies and the phenomenal success of Janette?" Amélie muses, as these shows had 85% and 96% paid attendance rates, respectively. Free tickets, which are typically included in the contracts of artists, make it impossible to reach 100% attendance in theater.

Other Struggling Institutions

Joining Duceppe on the brink of financial ruin are several other Quebec theaters, including the Denise-Pelletier Theater, Prospero Theater, Theatre du Nouveau Monde, and Espace Go—each grappling with mounting deficits.

The box office measure introduced by the government during the pandemic played a significant role in encouraging risk-taking among theaters. Based on average ticket sales, the measure compensated for unsold tickets, potentially easing the financial burden for theaters.

"If we had a hit like Janette, the government wouldn't have provided any compensation. But with shows that didn't perform as well, we wouldn't have been financially at risk," Amélie notes. This system, she concedes, might seem to fund poor productions, but it allows for artistic innovation without the fear of financial ruin.

The Cost of Artistic Risk

Producing a show at Duceppe costs around 300,000 to 400,000 dollars for production alone, with distribution doubling that cost. In an unfortunate turn of events, one of the shows in recent years did not meet expectations in terms of critical and commercial success, resulting in a loss of 300,000 dollars for that production alone.

Amélie duplessis must now maintain an emergency fund of 500,000 dollars, lest a failed show in one year string them with financial woes. Meanwhile, 82% of Duceppe's revenues come from autonomous sources, with 9 to 10% from private funding.

"We established a foundation 40 years ago, which generates revenue and provides stability for us," Amélie explains. For the following season, Duceppe estimates an announced deficit of 220,000 dollars—a testament to the constant balancing act required to sustain a successful theatre.

Sleep deprivation is a regular occurrence for Amélie, as she navigates the world of theatre finance with no easy answers. Politicians suggestions of overproduction hurting theatre performances elicit a strong response from Amélie: "If there were too many shows, the halls would be empty. Why would I do fewer shows when my halls are full?"

"Our role," as Amélie puts it, "is to convert citizens into spectators. It's important to reduce the perception of risk and expand the horizon of acceptability." While theatre-goers who dislike a movie can simply choose another film, first-time theatre patrons are less willing to take a chance—a challenge Amélie must address to keep her audience engaged.

"The government's intervention during the pandemic, such as the box office measure, proved crucial for struggling theatres like Duceppe, as it compensation for unsold tickets, which might have otherwise led to financial ruin. On the other hand, the entertainment industry, including successful productions like 'Janette,' can provide a financial lifeline for these institutions."

Duceppe's season rescued by "Janette" (rephrased): Janette plays key role in reviving Duceppe's season.