Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre has experienced one of its busiest six-month periods, with rate of ticket sales and attendance numbers up to July comparing favourably to its record year in 2019.
The theatre only returned to full-capacity in February this year when it launched its 2021 Season featuring a busy schedule of touring shows by leading companies, the Wagga Comedy Fest and local performances.
Civic Theatre Manager Carissa Campbell said the State Government's Dine & Discover NSW Vouchers played a role in the strong attendance figures.
"When you pulled up Dine & Discover NSW for this area, we were sitting there as soon as you opened the app and I think that made people think about coming to the theatre," she said.
"Along with our regular patrons, we had many new faces coming through the doors of the theatre who were using a voucher.
"So far, we have redeemed more than 5000 Discover Vouchers, and in my conversations with all the regional theatres, that's the highest amount by quite a margin."
Ms Campbell said another factor driving the demand for tickets was how much the community missed the opportunity to be social when the theatre was operating under reduced COVID-19 Safe capacities in 2020.
"Wagga people love going out. They always want more, and they love live music; it's always had huge audiences," she said.
"There's nothing like not having that to make you think 'hey, that's really valuable, I really want to do that, I want to go out and support it'.
"An example of that was the recent on sale day for The Wiggles. They normally sell out in a day and a bit and this time, they sold out in less than an hour so that tells you about the scale of demand."
Under current NSW Government health order guidelines, the theatre remains open with a restricted 50% audience capacity.
Show tickets and details are available online at www.civictheatre.com.au or by calling the box office on 02 6926 9688.
The Dine & Discover NSW Vouchers scheme gives residents four $25 vouchers to spend, two for cultural venues and two for hospitality venues.
Residents have until the end of August to spend their vouchers.
