THEATRE FINANCE

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19466, 13 November 1928, Page 12

THEATRE FINANCE

DRURY LANE PRODUCTIONS. SOME STRIKING FIGURES. (raOK OUB OWJT COBBBSPONDMTr.) LONDON, October 2. Remarkable details of theatre finance were disclosed by Sir Alfred Butt at the annual general meeting of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. He said that since March, 1925, during which time "Rose Marie," "The Desert Song," and "iShow Boat" have been produced, the theatre has been dosed only for 29 days. , The management has paid to authors, artists, orchestra, staff,, and in every expenditure in connexion with the theatre £1,000,208. Nearly 1600 people have been kept in employment and £217*000 has been paid m entertainment tax. The total paid to artists was £301,678, some of the stars receiving £250 to £3OO a week. Authors tees amounted to £134,160 and the other items included: £ Orchestra .. -, SO.** s2 Stage '..', .. - 61,547 Wardrobe *M I4 House staff .. .. >• 16,170 Lighting and warming .. 49.291 Advertising .. .. •• 64,272 General expenses .. .. 23,413 Production and renewals Eent, rates, etc. .. ..119,314 Front staff .. -. .. 49,495 £23,000 "Show Boat." "Show boat," now i-laying to about 20,00i> people a wees, cose ±#3,Uod to put on and is costing £SOO. a week more than either of the other / plays. iThere are about 130 performers, including 38 chorus giris, 20 chorus men, 16 coloured chorus girls, 15 coloured chorus men, and 12 coloured dancers. Uthers concerned bring the 'total'staff up to about 400. . In a special reference to the present production, Sir Alfred said it was not easy to follow up "Rose Marie" or "The Desert Song," both of which had had phenomenal success. Nearly everyone was against the production of "Show Boat," but he went ahead with it because he believed in the play and felt that it was hot likely either to lower the prestige or the high position of the theatre. "Show Boat" was successfully launched on May 3rd, and the daily, weekly, and monthly receipts were bigger than xmv they ever took with either "Rose Marie" or "The Desert Song." There were still those who spent their time trying to get cheap applause by attacking the Board's policy in producing tuTee successive musical plays emanating from America. He would gladly grasp any British play submitted to him that had a reasonable chance of being a success, but, until that time arrived, he would certainly not be deterred by mischievous propaganda-from pursuing the course which he thought was right.