Strathpeffer Pavilion lets punters set the price
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THEATRE-goers at the Pavilion in Strathpeffer will be able to pay what they like with the launch of an innovative new scheme.
The Pay What You Decide approach is aimed at making live theatre shows more accessible and is thought to be a first for Scotland.
It works by the audience simply calling up to add their names to a list, attending the performance, and at the end they pay what they decide the show was worth.
The scheme has been trialled in theatres in England where venues reported an increase in audience attendance, as well as greater participation in other events.
Now the pavilion is hoping the success will translate to the Highlands and encourage more people to come out and enjoy shows at the historic venue.
Pavilion general manager Yvonne Potter said: "The world is changing. People access the arts in so many different ways, be it print, radio, on-screen, online.
"Watching a performance on YouTube is great, it’s a risk-free entry point to the arts, but we’re passionate about live performance so we want to remove the barriers and create that same risk-free platform, so that more people can engage with live theatre.
"Our aim is to give our audiences such a positive experience that they bring their friends, build faith in the pavilion’s choices to return to see us again."
Marketing manager Glen Knott added: "At the pavilion, we know we are a rural venue, we know most folk have to drive to get here after 6pm. We also know there are many other things people can spend their money on, so removing the hurdle of the upfront ticket price makes our performances accessible.
"If you don’t like it you’ve lost nothing, but we’re confident you’ll have a great time and want to contribute something towards what we’re doing here."
The first Pay What You Decide offering is Playing Maggie by award-winning Edinburgh festival performer Pip Utton on May 19.
Pip becomes Margaret Thatcher for the evening and takes audience questions, answering them as Maggie.
The pavilion will stage at least four more theatre shows over the next year as part of the trial.
