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Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario ... The Shaw Festival’s 47th
season came to a close on November 16 with attendance 6% ahead of
last season. After a successful hold-over of Shaw’s popular comedy,
Getting Married, Executive Director Colleen Blake released
the attendance results of the season, noting: "Despite the many
tourism challenges facing us throughout the 2008 season – rising
gas prices, a strong Canadian dollar and ongoing border issues –
we are thrilled that The Shaw has produced such strong box office
results."
For the 2008 season, box office revenues reached $14.9 million (9%
ahead of last season) with attendance reaching 281,000 or 70% of
capacity for 792 performances. This represents an attendance increase
of 6% over the previous year. The Shaw’s box office revenues represent
an overall economic impact of close to $100 million on the Niagara
region.
Artistic Director Jackie Maxwell commented on the artistic success
of the season: "It is both gratifying and heartening to see our
audience respond so strongly and enthusiastically to all areas of
our programming. From virtually unknown pieces such as The Stepmother
and After the Dance to revisioned Shaw favourites, from Sondheim
in the Court House and Bernstein in the Festival to our lunchtime
smash hit, audiences embraced them all."
Tickets for the 2009 season went on sale to Shaw Festival Members
on November 8. Sales to the general public begin January 5 by mail,
fax and on-line and January 10 by phone or in person. Details are
available on the Shaw website
www.shawfest.com or by calling 1-800-511-SHAW (7429).
Audited financial reports will be available January 23 at The Shaw’s
Annual General Meeting, to be held at the Festival Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The 2008 season was proudly presented by HSBC Bank Canada/HSBC
Bank USA, N.A.
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