Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

Members of the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica perform in July during the 45th Anniversary Season of Dance, held at the Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Avenue, St. Andrew. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Whenever theatre productions are advertised they draw on the funniest or most compelling lines to tease an audience. It works in many cases, but with the current price of tickets, going to the theatre seem to have become a middle-class affair.

It is sometimes required that tickets be purchased days in advance to avoid the disappointment of an interrupted weekend plan. However, in the seat in front, the seat behind or the seats beside a theatregoer are often familiar faces. It could be a face from a salsa dance class, one from the trendy hang-out spot or a gym buddy.

Biggest struggle

The biggest struggle, therefore, is not to follow the plot or progression of what is taking place on stage, but to find members of the working class in the theatre.

"They can pay $4,000 to go see Buju or Bounty but can't pay between $600 and $800 to go to the theatre. I don't think money is the issue. It is the perception that performing is for the middle class," said Bridget Spaulding, company secretary and treasurer of the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC).

Four thousand dollars is probably an exaggeration, but it is true that many Jamaicans chose what kind of entertainment to spend their money on. Apart from the music festivals such as Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues, Reggae Sumfest, Temptation Isle and a couple others, there is not a clear divide when it comes to shows such as Sting, Saddle to the East, Summer Sizzle and others. In fact, the case can be made that the working class outnumbers all the other social groups present.

Theatre's accessibility

Monica Campbell, artistic director of Movements Dance Company, offered another theory. She said it could be a matter of how accessible theatre is to the public, especially those persons living in the inner city. While middle-class persons can easily jump in their vehicles and return to their safe communities at any hour of the night, the working class sometimes does not have that luxury, since their areas are sometimes tense.

She also said a part of the issue is related to money, but not directly to the price of the ticket. The ticket, coupled with transportation and food, can easily cost around $5,000. Considering where the minimum wage now stands, going to the theatre is a habit that for some cannot be repeated weekly or bimonthly.

But while it could be a matter of economics or preference, it could also be a matter of cultural socialisation. There is a stigma attached to performing, especially dance. According to Spaulding, not every Jamaican is ready to embrace what they see on the stage.

"Some people feel it is not for them ... It is also a bigger cultural issue. They don't like to see men on stage dancing around. It not just a money issue," she said.

Campbell disagrees. She has done her own test to prove that Jamaicans appreciate the arts and it is mostly an issue of accessibility. She said each year her company stages shows at the Ward Theatre and they are usually well supported by residents of the inner city.

Shows at the ward

"Those who can't afford to see us uptown can see us in some way or another ... When you go to the Ward it is full. People go wild and even come backstage and hang around for autographs," Campbell said. "We have to do it in ways they can reach out to us. We go down to the Ward and they support us by coming in their numbers. The world is an open market and we just have to show them that we welcome you."

Ticket prices were stuck at about $500 around 2001 and 2002. Whencompared to Broadway in the United States, where the average price is around US$30, Jamaica was really not that bad.

"Jamaicans have a mindset that it should be free, but people have to consider what keep it going," said Conroy Wilson, executive director of the Ashe Performing Arts Ensemble. He said Ashe is the only full-time performing arts company in Jamaica and they must charge at a rate that will cover their costs. These costs include renting a theatre, providing costumes and compensating cast members and other role players.