http://www.expressandstar.com/artman/publish/article_7085.shtmlArts festival breaks its box office record
By Peter Bate
Jul 22, 2002, 9:38am
Lichfield's annual arts extravaganza broke its own records by taking more
than г150,000 in box office receipts - but still ended up making a loss,
organisers revealed today.
The Lichfield Festival, which made an undisclosed loss, attracted tourists
from as far away as Hungary and Australia to the city between July 4-14.
About 13,200 tickets were sold for 57 events ,which included concerts,
films, drama and exhibitions, and was directed for the first time by Meurig
Bowen, the former artistic administrator of the Australian Chamber
Orchestra.
He said: "This year's event was a record in terms of attendance and revenue
which broke our box office targets.
"There were more tickets sold in 1999 and that year's festival was a day
longer."
Highlights of the festival included the npower athletics dash around
Lichfield Cathedral and a free fireworks night on July 13 which attracted
about 11,000 visitors to Beacon Park.
The Sydney Children's Choir and Anoushka Shankar, daughter of acclaimed
sitar player Ravi Shankar, performed at the cathedral during the festival.
Other Midlands, national and international artists took to the stage at
various venues which included Sutton Coldfield Town Hall and Friary School
theatre, in Lichfield.
Although the festival failed to break even, organisers will begin
preparation in September for next year's event with a smaller deficit than
expected, added Mr Bowen.
No figures were available for the loss.
