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| Arts centre's ticket 'landmark' | Arts centre's ticket 'landmark' |
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| The Wales Millennium Centre (WMC) has reached a "landmark" £20m in ticket sales since it opened in Cardiff Bay nearly three years ago, officials say. | The Wales Millennium Centre (WMC) has reached a "landmark" £20m in ticket sales since it opened in Cardiff Bay nearly three years ago, officials say. |
| When it opened in November 2004 there was some scepticism about whether the venue would meet its financial targets. | When it opened in November 2004 there was some scepticism about whether the venue would meet its financial targets. |
| But with over 1.5m visitors since, the centre is on track to meet its targets for the third year running. | But with over 1.5m visitors since, the centre is on track to meet its targets for the third year running. |
| Meanwhile, two other city entertainment venues said they had sustained their ticket sales since WMC's arrival. | Meanwhile, two other city entertainment venues said they had sustained their ticket sales since WMC's arrival. |
| Bet Davies, advisor to the WMC, said when it had first opened there was "some cynicism" that people would not travel to the venue, and it would only attract a local audience. | Bet Davies, advisor to the WMC, said when it had first opened there was "some cynicism" that people would not travel to the venue, and it would only attract a local audience. |
| But she said the £106m centre was now taking its place on the "world stage". | |
| The WMC's biggest selling shows included: Guys and DollsMiss SaigonWizard of OzSwan Lake on IceBuena Vista Social ClubRumble | The WMC's biggest selling shows included: Guys and DollsMiss SaigonWizard of OzSwan Lake on IceBuena Vista Social ClubRumble |
| Ms Davies said tickets to see Wagner's epic Ring Cycle in March last year had sold out in just four hours and 58% of ticket sales to that event were from outside Wales, she said. | Ms Davies said tickets to see Wagner's epic Ring Cycle in March last year had sold out in just four hours and 58% of ticket sales to that event were from outside Wales, she said. |
| However, month-on-month 79% of the audience were from south east Wales, with 10-11% travelling from west Wales, she said. | However, month-on-month 79% of the audience were from south east Wales, with 10-11% travelling from west Wales, she said. |
| About 9-10% were from "across the border" with around 3% of the audience making the journey from north Wales. | About 9-10% were from "across the border" with around 3% of the audience making the journey from north Wales. |
| "We are working with coach operators to develop more packages to increase the audience from north Wales," Ms Davies said. | "We are working with coach operators to develop more packages to increase the audience from north Wales," Ms Davies said. |
| "We are always working to maintain our existing audiences, but also to attract new audiences through innovative programming," she added. | "We are always working to maintain our existing audiences, but also to attract new audiences through innovative programming," she added. |
| Tickets to see Wagner's epic Ring Cycle sold out in four hours | Tickets to see Wagner's epic Ring Cycle sold out in four hours |
| Announcing the centre had passed £20m in ticket sales, the centre's chairman also highlighted efforts to attract new audiences. | Announcing the centre had passed £20m in ticket sales, the centre's chairman also highlighted efforts to attract new audiences. |
| Lord Rowe-Beddoe said: "These are landmark figures for a cultural centre which has been operating for less than three years. | Lord Rowe-Beddoe said: "These are landmark figures for a cultural centre which has been operating for less than three years. |
| "Over 1.5 million visitors have now visited the centre. | "Over 1.5 million visitors have now visited the centre. |
| "What's more, we continue to attract new audiences - for example, 49% of all the audiences for the recent new musical 'Never Forget', were first time ticket buyers". | "What's more, we continue to attract new audiences - for example, 49% of all the audiences for the recent new musical 'Never Forget', were first time ticket buyers". |
| Cardiff's St David's Hall and the New Theatre said they had "sustained" ticket sales since the WMC had opened. | Cardiff's St David's Hall and the New Theatre said they had "sustained" ticket sales since the WMC had opened. |
| A spokesperson said: "Both venues have been proactive in repositioning their programmes - in the case of the New Theatre to fill weeks previously held by the Welsh National Opera with highly successful drama and children's shows. | A spokesperson said: "Both venues have been proactive in repositioning their programmes - in the case of the New Theatre to fill weeks previously held by the Welsh National Opera with highly successful drama and children's shows. |
| "St David's Hall, as a purpose built symphonic concert hall with a world-class acoustic, is developing its music programme and new strands of activity." | "St David's Hall, as a purpose built symphonic concert hall with a world-class acoustic, is developing its music programme and new strands of activity." |