In the theatrical season 2007/2008, the number of spectators to performances of theatres and professional and amateur theatre groups totalled 414,000. This equals each individual attending the theatre 1.3 times in a year. The number of spectators declined some 25,000, or 5.7 per cent, between theatrical seasons. In the last theatrical season, 231 works were staged, which were performed 3,339 times.
The total number of spectators to performances of theatres and theatre groups in the theatrical seasons 2000/2001–2007/2008 is shown in the graph. Included are spectators to performances in schools by theatres and theatre groups, as well as domestic and foreign co-productions and guest performances. Spectators to performances of pupils are, however, excluded. Despite a nearly six per cent drop in the number of theatre visits in the last theatrical season compared with the previous season, the total number of spectators has increased about 23,000 during the period under review. The total number of spectators to theatrical performances amounted to nearly 30 per cent of the total admissions to cinemas and number of visitors to museums.
Professional theatres
In the last theatrical season, six professional theatres operated on 12 stages with a seating capacity of 2,798. Together the theatres staged 78 works within the country, of which 46 were plays. Performances numbered 1,205 in total. Spectators to professional theatres, including co-productions with professional theatre groups and guest performances, numbered 275,207, signifying a six per cent increase from the previous theatrical season.
Professional theatre groups
There were 39 professional theatre groups operating in the country in the last theatrical season, which staged 84 works within the country. Performances numbered 1,925. The total number of guests was 178,125, including spectators to co-productions with theatres, or 34,000 fewer guests than in the theatrical season 2006/2007.
Amateur theatre groups
In the last theatrical season 35 amateur theatre groups staged 81 works. Amateur groups performed 457 times to nearly 30,000 spectators.
Statistics Iceland collects annually information from the theatres and the theatre groups.