So are the first weeks’ run of theatre seats at the Mittagong Playhouse, but loyal audiences seem to forget they are there, waiting faithfully (like the toothpaste) to be picked up and used.

There is a cohort of regular ‘theatre-goers’ in the Southern Highlands who valiantly support the various local initiatives and those few touring shows that can be offered.

But we have two problems that feed off one another.

Historically, local amateur theatre groups have offered performances only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, mostly, I suspect, to allow the actors to carry out their day jobs.

Over time, this has effectively ‘trained’ the local audiences to think that what’s on at the Mittagong Playhouse is only playing on those days of the week.

So when the opportunity comes along to present a show, say Wednesday to Saturday, as would often be the case with an incoming touring show, patrons seem to forget about midweek tickets.

Moreover, local groups traditionally present their shows over three weekends, which significantly reduces the number of weeks available for other shows.

If we ever succeed in building a purpose-built performing arts centre, audiences will rightly want access to a wide range of very different attractions across the performing arts genres, scheduled throughout the year – and the week.

Each individual attending a live performance has a unique experience.

Never will you see those performers give that particular performance again (unlike a film) and you will never sit in that venue with that particular group of people ever again.

Which brings me to my main point: an unsold ticket is lost revenue, limiting the financial viability of the production, and thus, probably, limiting the production company’s ability to sustain a line-up of quality shows that will continue to provide audiences with those unique experiences.

In the case of the recent CMS Productions Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, approximately 40 per cent of the total available tickets went unsold during the first five performances.

That lost revenue cannot be recouped.

Attendance rates for the last four performances over the second weekend outstripped the equivalent performances in the previous week by approximately 2:1, and in the case of the final Saturday matinee, 3:1.

The best theatre we have available in the district remains the Mittagong Playhouse.

Venerable it may be, but it’s an old lady.

The size of the stage is artistically limiting for both local and touring productions, the audience capacity (175) is financially restricting for producers or presenters and the Front of House area leaves something to be desired.

While this is the case, we will struggle to attract good touring performances from out of area. 

But it’s what we’ve got right now, so if we, your faithful Southern Highlands production companies, are to remain able to present shows that are financially viable because audiences, in their wisdom, realise that what’s presented on the first Wednesday is just as good as the last Saturday, what’s the problem?

Your feedback will be gratefully received.