In 2023, Ukrainian national theatres earned more than before the full-scale war

24 April 2024 16:50

In 2023, Ukrainian theatres not only returned to pre-war demand but even exceeded it. This is evidenced by the results of research by YouControl.Market, Komersant ukrainskyi reports.

According to the National Union of Theatre Workers of Ukraine (NSTDU), for many theatres (especially in the frontline regions), 2022 was marked by the suspension of activities for 2 months and sometimes up to six months or more.

Kyiv’s theatres returned to performances around June-September. In addition, theatres began to work with incomplete halls. Many sold tickets only for the floor, so that in the event of an alarm, the audience could be evacuated quickly, or sold tickets only for the number of people that the theatre shelter could accommodate (if it was equipped). Blackouts and frequent shelling also did not help to increase the number of spectators in the halls.

As for 2021, it should be remembered that quarantine restrictions were in place then and theatres had to comply with quarantine requirements.

In 2023, the number of viewers definitely increased, as theatres got used to the new conditions and viewers need emotions and impressions.

Nine national theatres are managed by the Ministry of Culture:

The Taras Shevchenko National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre of Ukraine;
Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre;
State Enterprise “Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theatre”;
Lviv National Academic Ukrainian Drama Theatre named after Maria Zankovetska;
Kharkiv National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre named after M. V. Lysenko);
Lviv National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre named after Solomiya Krushelnytska;
Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre”
Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theatre of Ivano-Frankivsk (transferred to the Ministry of Culture in 2022);
Les Kurbas National Theatre and Comedy Centre.

Which theatres earned the most in 2023?

All national theatres earned more in 2023 than in 2021.

The net income from sales of the Franko Theatre in Kyiv increased by UAH 20 million compared to 2021, and the relative growth rate compared to 2022 is 165%. Only the Odesa Opera House in 2023 did not exceed its net income level of 2021.

The Taras Shevchenko National Opera and Ballet Theatre generated the most revenue among national theatres in 2023 – more than UAH 53 million.

Almost UAH 46 million of net income was received by the Franko Theatre, and another UAH 31.5 million was received by the Lviv Opera.

The Kyiv Operetta Theatre had thehighest net income among the municipally owned theatres , almost UAH 157 million.

The Kyiv Opera and Ballet Theatre for Children and Youth generated more than UAH 70 million in net income, and the Young Theatre generated another UAH 67 million.

It should be noted that data analytics shows that municipal theatres include in their net income funds received from local budgets, which they use to conduct their core operating activities.

Ukrainian theatres that are in state and municipal ownership (according to the State Statistics Service, there are 113 such theatres in Ukraine) also receive financial support from the state and local authorities in the regions.

In 2023, the state allocated more than UAH 1.3 billion to support national theatres under the Financial Support for Theatres programme alone. In total, 8 theatres are funded from the state budget under this programme.

According to YC.Market, in 2023, the Taras Shevchenko National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre of Ukraine received the most funds – over UAH 322 million, while the Frankivsk Drama Theatre received the least – almost UAH 45 million.

The vast majority of the funds received from the state are primarily used by theatres to pay salaries to employees and taxes. Another part is spent on utilities and only a few percent on purchasing new equipment or updating scenery.