Taxation May Prevent Royal Ballet's Return

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28870, 15 April 1959, Page 14

Taxation May Prevent Royal Ballet's Return

(New Zealana Press Association)

AUCKLAND, April 14. Without New Zealand entertainment tax and a number of other high cost factors the company from the Royal Ballet which has toured New Zealand would have made a profit sufficiently high to be certain of returning, said the business manager (Mr Peter Higgin) in Auckland today. “But costs are so loaded against a touring ballet like this that we cannot expect to do more than break even on the venture,” he said. “We have been able to do this only because we have had full theatres right through New Zealand, except in Dunedin.” Reasons for the comparatively high prices for ballet seats were given by Mr Higgin as follows: (1) The company must pay nearly 100 people a week while it is on tour.

(2) The scenery sets, occupying nearly 20 shipping tons of space, had to be shifted about all over the country.

(3) The company had to pay the Australian orchestra for performances and also for rehearsals at the rate of at least £3 a man for each three hours.

(4) All medical fees for members of the company are charged to the Royal Ballet. (5) Insurance and workers’ compensation had also to be borne by the company, and also all internal travelling costs and accommodation expenses.

(6) Substantial sums in performing rights and royalties had to be met. “And the last things that take the gilt off the gingerbread are entertainment tax, the fact that our people have to pay Social Security tax although not eligible for benefits, and the possibility still that we may also have to pay company tax if we do make anything here,” said Mr Higgin. “It is not very encouraging either to us or the public. We would be able to reduce our charges considerably if the company were more favourably regarded by the authorities.”