Panto works slightly differently to the financial and legal models of other shows.
Qdos/Panto Producers are the ones who have to cover the costs of the production. Everything from set and costumes to the cast and crew as well as the PRS music licensing. The venue(s) will cover all or part of the marketing costs, that arrangement varies depending on the venue.
If for any reason the show doesn't sell well and the box office split doesnt cover the cost of the production then the panto producer has to take the financial hit just as they would with any other type of show. The advantage of panto is there are historic box office records to estimate your income off of and with panto it's unlikely to alter dramatically except for anomalies such as star casting.
The producers have to find the money, in commercial theatre these days thats usually found in investors, whoever in panto its usually past profits or the producers just need to find the money. It's rare that someone would sell "units" or "shares" in a pantomime in the same way they do in a west end musical or play.
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