seen tremendous growth. There is greater diversity and larger audiences to sustain a dynamic range of companies and their productions. The panel was asked a series of questions related to making safe choices to ensure sound theatre economics, and whether or not disproportionate marketing and production budgets can be justified. These questions and more gave rise to lively and passionate discussion.
While audiences are increasing, so too are production costs. Each artistic director expressed that it is essential that his company maintain artistic standards to ensure that audiences return. By increasing the size of their audiences and maintaining audience retention, they attempt to maintain a fiscal balance through the box office.
The question and answer session at the end of the Colloquium raised many interesting points, including the role of the critic in art communities. It was bemoaned by the panel that while performances receive media attention, there is a lack of true criticism and analysis achieved in Singapore. |
