Chronicle Herald strike affecting theatre ticket sales, say artistic directors

Two artistic directors in Nova Scotia say the Chronicle Herald strike is affecting their theatre ticket sales in a big way.

"Traditionally when the review got published the phone would start ringing right away," Natasha MacLellan of Parrsboro's Ship's Company Theatre told CBC's Information Morning.

The theatre usually sees around 100 to 110 people at shows this time in July.

But this year there's only around 20 to 40 people a night, MacLellan said, with the highest number being 50.

Jeremy Webb, of Eastern Front Theatre in Dartmouth, said he noticed a difference during a theatre festival in June.

"Numbers were definitely down, markedly down," he said.

There might not be reviews, but there are other media outlets and social media to spread the word, Webb said.

Webb also started aFacebookpageto spread the word about shows across the province.

Ripple effect

MacLellan said the lack of reviews is affecting local business.

She recently spoke with a restaurant owner in Parrsboro about that.

"They have noticed they're not overwhelmed with calls of people trying to make reservations to get in and out before the show," she said.

"That weighs kind of heavily on you."

Union support

Both Eastern Front Theatre and Ship's Company Theatre have supported the striking workers at the Chronicle Herald from the beginning.

MacLellan and Webb are part of unions themselves (ACTRA and Canadian Actors' Equity Association)and say they understand the importance of solidarity.

Waiting game

Mary Lou Martin from the Chester Playhouse saidreviews do lead to interest at the box office.

"The Herald is the only province-wide coverage so it will affect all of the summer theatres in rural locations," Martin wrote in an email.

Ken Schwartz from Two Planks and a Passion Theatre Company said they know from surveys that the Herald "is a motivator for over 40 per centof our traditional audience."

The artistic director for Festival Antigonish, Ed Thomason, is also concerned.

"The situation is not good for anybody, certainly not summer theatre," Thomasontold CBC.