One in two Finns go to theatre at least once a year

Most eager theatre buffs are highly educated 45-64-year-old women

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One half of all the Finns have visited a theatre, ballet, or an opera at least once in the past year. The Finnish theatre receives a good grade from most of the public, and the society's role in nurturing this form of cultural activity is considered increasingly important.
      In a recent study commissioned by the Association of Finnish Theatres and conducted by market researchers Taloustutkimus Oy, it was discovered that the Finns are most interested in domestic comedies, musical comedies, and musicals.
      These are followed by new and old Finnish plays and foreign classics. In the study conducted every three years, one thousand Finns between the ages of 15 and 79 were interviewed.
     
The most eager theatre buffs are highly educated 45-64-year-old women, but also well-paid executives of both sexes figure prominently in the statistics.
      The percentage of theatre visits has increased from 2001, when only 43 percent of Finns reported that they had paid at least one yearly visit to a theatre.
      Six percent of Finns say they have never been to see a theatre production.
      The study concludes that the number of theatre visits could be increased by lowering the ticket prices and by making the programme selection more interesting.
      An evening at home with the family is the Finns' number one spare-time activity. One half of the respondents mentioned spending time with the family, household chores, and watching TV as alternatives to going to see a play.
      The 15-24-year-old respondents visit ballet performances more often than the older generation. Their choice of plays to see is not based on the actors’ reputations but the play itself.
      The youngest group also complained that the high ticket prices limit their chances of visiting the theatre more often.
      The survey appeared at a suitable juncture, since Tuesday saw the opening of the 36th Tampere Theatre Festival. This 6-day event brings together Finnish and international companies and is expected to attract around an audience of around 30,000.


Links:
  Tampere Theatre Festival

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