RISING COSTS
For the Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT), its artistic director Gaurav Kripalani said it will focus on encouraging families to use the culture pass credits to attend children’s shows, which it hopes will foster a passion for the arts in Singaporeans from a young age.
The company, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2023, has found it difficult to raise funds and get post-pandemic audiences back into the theatre.
Mr Kripalani cited other challenges like competition from online entertainment streaming services and the rising costs in production, which have jumped 40 per cent post-pandemic.
“One of the things this scheme will help address is affordability,” he said.
“It is very expensive to mount the production cost – mounting a play now has skyrocketed post COVID, and ticket prices have not moved up to be able to cover those costs. So it’s actually become hugely challenging to produce and present any performance.”
The biggest expense for the company is manpower, added Mr Kripalani.
For example, when SRT stages Singapore’s largest outdoor theatre show – Shakespeare in the Park – at Fort Canning, it needs to hire staff like security, cleaners and ushers.
