The show must go on: musical theatre cancellations lead to industry calls for urgent government help
News Source
β’Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:00:23 GMT
π° What Happened
Two major musicals and a $20 million opera have cancelled shows in Australia within one week. Waitress will end early in Melbourne and skip its Sydney tour. Beetlejuice cut its Brisbane run short and dropped plans to go to Perth, Adelaide and Sydney. Both shows blamed rising production costs and weak ticket sales. Hundreds of cast and crew are now out of work.
π The Backstory
Australia's theatre industry has been struggling since the pandemic. Touring costs have gone up sharply, and audiences have been slow to return. The industry is now calling on the federal government for tax reform and emergency support. Beetlejuice was written by Australian Eddie Perfect and has been a hit on Broadway and London's West End, making its Australian cancellation especially tough for local theatre fans.
π― Why It Matters
When musicals cancel, it means fewer shows to see and less work for Australian performers, musicians, and theatre staff. It also signals that live entertainment in Australia is becoming too expensive to survive.
Two major musicals and a $20 million opera have cancelled shows in Australia within one week. Waitress will end early in Melbourne and skip its Sydney tour. Beetlejuice cut its Brisbane run short and dropped plans to go to Perth, Adelaide and Sydney. Both shows blamed rising production costs and weak ticket sales. Hundreds of cast and crew are now out of work.
Australia's theatre industry has been struggling since the pandemic. Touring costs have gone up sharply, and audiences have been slow to return. The industry is now calling on the federal government for tax reform and emergency support. Beetlejuice was written by Australian Eddie Perfect and has been a hit on Broadway and London's West End, making its Australian cancellation especially tough for local theatre fans.
When musicals cancel, it means fewer shows to see and less work for Australian performers, musicians, and theatre staff. It also signals that live entertainment in Australia is becoming too expensive to survive.