STC has published a glowing 2015 annual report, registering year-on-year increases in income and attendance.

Sydney Theatre Company has announced an impressive financial surplus in its 2015 Annual Report, detailing an operating surplus of $618,101, and a consolidated surplus – including money raised through the Company’s capital campaign, as well as income from the Roslyn Packer Theatre – of $2.668 million. This sum is a $871,000 increase on 2014’s consolidated surplus of $1.79 million.

The company recorded year-on-year improvements across a range of different metrics. The number of season ticket holders in 2015 was up 29% from the previous four-year average, with 20,513 subscribers seeing an average of 7 plays across the year. Total attendees were also up, with 282,622 people seeing STC shows in 2015, compared to the 235,285 in 2014.

Philanthropy and corporate sponsorship also played a major role in the positive financial outcome for the company. Donations now represent 7% of STC’s annual income, a sum equivalent to the company’s Federal and State subsidy. 

The Company’s 2015 programme boasted one of most star-studded line-ups of recent years, and the most popular productions of the season reflect the powerful draw of A-list talent. Cate Blanchett and Richard Roxburgh’s critically acclaimed performances in Andrew Upton’s Chekhov adaptation, The Present, Geoffrey Rush’s account of King Lear in Neil Armfield’s bold, minimalist production, and Hugo Weaving’s memorable turn in Beckett’s Endgame were all significant box office successes. 

However, the report also revealed a committed following for the company’s smaller scale productions, such as the world premiere of Kylie Coolwell’s Battle of Waterloo and award-winning director Kip Williams’ applauded production of Caryl Churchill’s Love and Information.

Such positive financial results are encouraging, as the company transitions from the tenure of its current Artistic Director, Andrew Upton, to the position’s next incumbent, Jonathan Church, at the end of this year. Sydney Theatre Company Chairman Ian Narev said in a speech at STC’s AGM yesterday evening: “[Andrew Upton] has built strong foundations for the Company and left it in great shape. As we move into a new era, I am sure our audience are looking forward to the exciting direction and performances that our incoming Artistic Director Jonathan Church will bring to our stages.”