Record-breaking stage success playing its part for economy

Record-breaking theatre visitor numbers are being credited with boosting the Highland Perthshire economy.

With little over a month left in Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s (PFT) summer season, the musical High Society is on track to become the best-selling show of all time.

It has already overtaken four of the previous five top-selling shows from the Theatre’s 66-year history – Hello, Dolly! (2013), Kiss Me, Kate (2010), The Unexpected Guest (1999) and Whisky Galore – A Musical! (2009).

And with 10 performances remaining, it is ready to surpass the 2011 production of My Fair Lady.

To date, High Society has been enjoyed by more than 19,000 people and has generated close to £500,000 in box office income.

The theatre’s artistic director, John Durnin, said the figures were great news for both PFT and the wider area.

“Around 60% of our annual turnover is invested directly in our in-house productions – more than double the amount spent by the Lyceum in Edinburgh or the Citizens in Glasgow, who typically average 28% – and the success of shows like High Society demonstrates that audiences really respond to this high level of investment in the work on the stage.”

“This success is just as important for the regional and national economies as every year PFT contributes between £13 million and £20m in economic benefit to the Scottish economy.

“Attracting audiences in numbers like these further boosts that contribution.”

The final performance of the summer season will be High Society on Saturday October 14.

High Society has been a huge hit and is on track to become the most successful show of all time.