Ticket sales reflect economy

ADVANCE tickets sales for this year’s Arts Festival, which opened on Monday, were slower than in previous years, reflecting the downturn in the economy, according to Festival Director Paul Fahy.“A harder level of selling was required and there was a lot more last-minute booking,” he says, but adds that a significant increase in Box Office receipts over the weekend has eased concerns.“For instance, The Kronos Quartet had a lower level of sales before the festival than would be normal, and were only at 35 per cent last week. But there was a massive increase in sales over the weekend and their show on Tuesday night was sold out.”Similarly, a show from the UK’s Michael Clarke Dance Company – one of the world’s top dance groups – would have sold out in advance in previous years, which was not the case this year.However, tickets for the company’s first show at the Black Box on Tuesday had sold out completely by Monday. Given the last minute pattern of sales, Mr Fahy expects that tickets for the remaining shows – it finishes on Saturday – will now move quickly.“Just going on the pattern this morning, (Wednesday) tickets for Michael Clarke and the Penguin Café are in big demand.” The roof of the Big Top in Fisheries Field was erected yesterday at 4pm and concerts there kick off next Tuesday night with David Gray and David Kitt.“Tickets for Bon Iver and David Gray are going great. But because we have a big capacity there are still lots of tickets.” The slowest of the Big Top gigs is...