Megamusicals attract Kiwis

Press, 2 June 1989, Page 4

Megamusicals attract Kiwis

By

KAY FORRESTER

Six thousand New Zealanders have booked to see “The Phantom of the Opera” in Melbourne — and the show does not open there for 18 months. Bookings are heavy also for "Les Miserables,” which does not open in Melbourne until November. It is playing in Sydney at present. The theatre-goers are part of a phenomenon associated with megamusicals in Australia — a steady stream of New Zealand travellers to see the shows.

“Cats” was the first of the big musicals to attract the show-biz trade from New Zealand. Almost 100,000 New Zealanders have seen “Cats” in Australia.

The willingness of people on this side of the Tasman to travel to see the big name musicals means big business for the airlines and travel agents who organise package deals that include theatre tickets.

It means big business also for such organisations as the Victorian Tourism Commission.

Kelvin King, a public relations consultant employed by the commission, says the commission is

pushing the New Zealand market for musicals.

New Zealand centres would never get the big shows because they were simply not big enough, Mr King said. Auckland might possibly see “Cats” because there was now a touring company for the show, but New Zealand cities did not meet the 1.5 million minimum population base promoters sought. ’ Mr King said the entertainment industry was aware of the trans-Tas-man theatre travel phenomenon.

“Qantas and Air New Zealand have moved into package deals in a big way. Qantas is sponsoring both ‘Les Miserables’ and ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ with special booking in New Zealand as well as tour packages. Air New Zealand’s Hotpac tour programme highlights the big musicals in Australia. Huge bookings are being reported.” “The good thing is that the shows are open to everyone. The package deals mean it’s not just the yuppies or high-brow people who combine a night at the theatre with a trip to Australia,” he said.