The Stage

Edinburgh International Festival reports record-breaking season

Published Tuesday 7 September 2010 at 15:27 by Thom Dibdin

The Edinburgh International Festival has reported its most lucrative season ever in 2010, with income up by 3%.

Box office receipts for the event, which ran from August 13 to September 5, were at £2.67 million - a 3% increase on 2009’s figures. The rise translates into a smaller percentage increase in ticket sales, which at 135,793 were up 1%.

The higher box office was, in large part, thanks to an increase in top price tickets. Top-tier concert tickets saw an increase of between 50p and £1, upper bracket theatre tickets rose £2 to bring them into line with Edinburgh theatres’ year-round prices, while lowest price tickets have been pegged at £8 for the last four years.

Commenting on the results, EIF director Jonathan Mills, said: “We’ve had a successful year financially which is fantastic, but what is more important is that we have more than measured up to our name. We have helped to transform Edinburgh, bringing the vibrant, vital cultures of the New World to its residents’ doorsteps, and we have showcased this wonderful city to the world.”

With a third of festival events recorded as sell outs, the total audience was 140,680 or 80% of total capacity for all tickets issued, including guests, staff and competitions. The figure excludes the estimated quarter of a million non-paying audience who attended the Bank of Scotland fireworks concert. Paid tickets accounted for 77% of total capacity.

Almost half of the ticket purchasers were Edinburgh locals with an EH postcode, while the international audience came from 73 different countries. Some 120 diplomats attended the event. Of the 2,300 performers, 700 came from Scotland.

Mills added: “We’ve welcomed artists, audiences and politicians from all over the world to the city - in our audiences alone over a third of the world was represented. The bridges the Edinburgh International Festival builds for the city, Scotland and the UK, and the level of engagement and profile it creates, strengthen our nation as we prepare for London 2012 and Glasgow 2014. And on our journey celebrating cultures and creativity we have presented a truly vibrant, engaging festival.”