§ Mr. EffordTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what discussions he has had with the Royal Opera House regarding its concessionary ticketing policy; and if he will make a statement; [157534]
(2) what discussions he has had with the Royal Opera House regarding the availability of standby tickets; and how many performances since the Royal Opera House reopened there have been for which standing tickets were available. [157535]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have discussions from time to time with the Chairman and management of the Royal546W Opera House to ensure that Covent Garden is open to a broader audience and for the public to have the widest possible access to performances.
The Royal Opera House currently offers a number of concessionary and standby rates. These include:
- For performances in the main auditorium where standby tickets have been made available on the day of performance, senior citizens, students, under 18s, those in receipt of Job Seeker's Allowance or Invalid Care Allowance, members of BECTU, MU, Equity, Incorporated Society of Musicians, the Friends of Covent Garden and Stage Pass, holders of a City of Westminster ResCard and residents of London WC2 postal area can buy one reduced-price ticket per person from the Box Office. Stand-by tickets for the best available seat are £12.50 for ballet and £15 for opera performances and, when available, will be released for sale four hours before curtain-up.
- Customers with disabilities who join the free Royal Opera House Access List receive a 50 per cent. discount on tickets for themselves and a companion.
- Senior citizens, students, under 18s and those in receipt of Job Seeker's Allowance receive a £1 discount off the ticket price of Backstage Tours.
- Standing tickets are available at all performances of ballet and opera in the main auditorium.
- Outside companies using the Linbury Studio Theatre or the Clore Studio Upstairs must honour the existing concessionary schemes.
- Each season, at least two productions of opera will be relayed into the Covent Garden piazza free of charge.
The Royal Opera House companies continue to attract a large and varied audience for their work. In the first season after re-opening the House achieved over 90 per cent. capacity for performances of opera and ballet with ticket prices reduced in many areas. A broad and innovative programme of education work has involved over 100,000 school children as well as young people and adults from all backgrounds. I commend the board and management of the House for their commitment to making the Royal Opera House accessible to the widest possible audience.