The decision of the City of Quebec to offer a free ticket to those who will buy one or more tickets for a show on November 23 and 24 is welcomed by stakeholders in the Montreal cultural community, who see it above all as a symbol of municipal support. The City of Montreal, it applauds, but does not want to comment … for the moment.
Posted at 4:00 p.m.
Mayor Bruno Marchand’s initiative was launched this week with the aim of encouraging the public in Quebec to reconnect with the performing arts, hard hit during the pandemic.
Mr. Marchand recalled that in 2019, 1.2 million people attended theaters in Quebec. “Last year, they were only 250,000. Do the math as you want, it can’t work. We have a share of responsibility as a city, as citizens, ”he said.
Up to 20,000 tickets will thus be offered by the City for musical or theater performances presented in various venues identified by the town hall over two days: 23 and 24 November. Cost of the operation: $210,000 — sum that comes from the Government of Quebec fund for downtown revitalization.
While welcoming Mayor Marchand’s initiative to highlight the cultural milieu in Quebec City, Mayor Valérie Plante’s office did not want to say whether Montreal could follow suit, instead recalling the measures already taken by the metropolis. .
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The Mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante
“The measures put in place in Montreal aim to ensure a lasting recovery of the cultural community, which has been greatly affected by the pandemic,” said its main press officer, Catherine Cadotte. The firm discusses the programs of the Conseil des arts de Montréal: When art takes the air, support for local initiatives on the territory of the island of Montreal and the residency program.
The City recalls that it has launched its soundproofing program for independent rooms with a budget of $1.4 million.
Montreal has also received new amounts from the Government of Quebec aimed at reviving the city center, which will support the community through various cultural initiatives that will be unveiled shortly.
Catherine Cadotte, principal press officer in the cabinet of the mayor of Montreal
David Laferrière, president of the organization RIDEAU, which represents 350 performance halls in Quebec, welcomed the news with enthusiasm, recalling that cities and RCMs are the “primary partners” of many performance halls. “I’m excited to see a city that wants to play a role in reviving the performing arts,” he says.
Will this measure be able to boost the sale of show tickets? “Hard to say, answers David Laferrière, also general manager of the Gilles-Vigneault Theater, in Saint-Jérôme. It is a boost to those who are already committing themselves. In the current inflationary environment, this is interesting. Especially since it is not a very expensive measure. »
A strong symbol
But is this a measure that could have an impact on the environment? “All the initiatives are good, believes Mr. Laferrière. One cannot be against virtue. It is difficult to know if this measure will have a real impact, but in any case, it has symbolic value. Now, of course, we have to think about more sustainable measures for the performing arts. »
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, ARCHIVES LA PRESSE
David Laferrière, general manager of Théâtre Gilles-Vigneault and president of the organization RIDEAU
The co-artistic director of the Théâtre Duceppe, Jean-Simon Traversy, is also happy to see the city of Quebec wanting to see the capital shine through culture. “We fight every day so that everyone has access to our theater,” he said. Our program Your age = your price [destiné aux 18 à 35 ans] is a good example. »
Mr. Traversy recalls that, in several countries, cities subsidize the performing arts. “Here, it’s mainly the Quebec government. And luckily the ticketing assistance program is still in place. [jusqu’en mars 2023] because it’s a great safety net for us if we can’t fill our room. »
The pandemic has indeed changed the behavior of spectators, notes Jean-Simon Traversy. “They buy their tickets at the last minute, they are also less likely to subscribe, so yes, it is difficult. We have not found our figures from before the pandemic, even if we had a very good start to the school year [avec Mama et Un. Deux. Trois.]. I have the impression that we are one bad news away from asking for help again…”
A bandage ?
Michel Sabourin, spokesperson for the Association of Independent Theaters of Quebec and president of Club Soda, is more critical. He is not against the measure, but does not believe that it will fundamentally help the cultural environment, which is extremely fragile. “I’m not saying it’s not worth trying, but the result seems equivocal to me… To win back our audience, we’ll have to put in place more permanent measures, such as tax credits. A measure also supported by RIDEAU.
Mr. Sabourin does not like “the message it sends” either. “There is fierce international competition. We see it with the price of the tickets of the stars who come here… So what message does that send? That our shows are worth less? Are they of lower quality? »
The current crisis calls for much greater mobilization, he believes. “The pandemic has created a void, there is a reconstruction of the public to be done. We have to get to know our audience better, be able to address them, make them direct offers. If we always use plasters to clear our conscience, we won’t succeed. »