ARTISTIC PRODUCTION AND LIVE PERFORMANCES, 2022/2023 SEASON

Performing arts

In the season from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023, a total of 155 theatres operated, which was 15 theatres more than in the previous season. A part of professional theatres had permanent scenes, either in-house ones or those located somewhere else. Therefore, along with 90 professional theatres, there were six operating permanent scenes and 31 professional children’s theatres, out of which ten were puppet theatres. There were also 34 active amateurs’ theatres. A gradual return of visitors to theatres continues, thus leading to an increase in the number of active theatres.

Return of plays and visitors to theatres

A total of 11 277 plays were performed in Croatia and abroad, which is 18% more than in the previous season. The plays in the Republic of Croatia and abroad were attended by 1 795 958 visitors, which is an increase of 36% compared to the 2021/2022 season. A total of 1 688 titles were performed in all theatres. Out of that, 1 098 titles, or 65%, were created by domestic authors. As from this season, the number of premieres is recorded separately. There were 476 premieres, of which 326 were titles of domestic authors.

Professional theatres for all ages performed 23% more plays in Croatia and abroad, and had 39% more visitors than in the previous season.

Amateurs’ theatres performed 139 titles, of which 117 were created by domestic authors and 56 were premieres. A total of 488 plays were performed for 69 564 visitors in Croatia and abroad.

Professional children's theatres performed 619 titles, which is 46% more than in the previous season, and 4 480 plays in Croatia and abroad for 520 250 youngest visitors.

Improving the methodology of theatres according to the type of live performances and in accordance with Eurostat guidelines and practices of other EU Member States leads to a better insight into contemporary theatre practices. In addition to traditional theatre types, contemporary dance and movement, contemporary circus and multimedia performances can also be monitored now. This breakdown significantly reduced the share of other unclassified content.

Concert season for professional ensembles, orchestras and choirs

In the 2022/2023 season, 37 professional orchestras and ensembles operated, out of which six were symphony and large orchestras, seven chamber orchestras and 24 chamber ensembles. A total of 649 concerts, performances and festivities were performed, which were attended by 209 561 visitors.

Compared to the 2021/2022 season, the number of performed concerts increased by 12% and their attendance by 28%.

The professional choir performed 25 concerts, that is, one concert more than in the previous season. They were attended by 10 800 visitors, that is, 29% more than in the 2021/2022 season.

LADO – National Folk Dance Ensemble of Croatia performed 77 concerts or performances, which is five concerts more than in the previous season.  They were attended by 49 950 visitors, that is, 2% more than in the 2021/2022 season.

Increase of performing arts’ tours abroad

The number of tours abroad of Croatian theatres, ensembles and orchestras continues to increase in this season. The number of visitors to the plays performed by professional theatres abroad increased by 16% in the 2022/2023 season compared to the 2021/2022 season. There were also 42% more visitors to the plays performed by children’s theatres and 18% more visitors to amateurs’ theatres on tours outside the Republic of Croatia. The number of visitors to concerts abroad performed by professional orchestras and ensembles also increased compared to the 2012/2022 season, by 59%.

1 THEATRES

2 PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRAS, ENSEMBLES AND CHOIR, LADO – NATIONAL FOLK DANCE ENSEMBLE OF CROATIA

NOTES ON METHODOLOGY

Sources and methods of data collection

Data are the result of the processing of statistical reports filled in by professional, children’s and amateurs’ theatres on the Annual Report on Theatres (KU-1 form). Professional orchestras, ensembles and choirs fill in the Annual Report on Professional Orchestras, Ensembles and Choirs (KU-2 form) and, finally, LADO – National Folk Dance Ensemble of Croatia enters its data on the Annual Report on Professional Folk and Song Ensembles (KU-3 form).

Coverage and comparability

The survey covers professional, professional children’s and amateurs’ theatres, professional orchestras, ensembles and choirs on the territory of the Republic of Croatia that were performing in the 2022/2023 season, and the LADO – National Folk Dance Ensemble of Croatia. Data are comparable to data from the previous seasons.

Definitions and explanations

Professional theatre is a cultural and artistic institution, that is, an artistic organisation, either with a resident professional company or with a professional company recruited only for individual performances on a contractual basis.

Professional children’s theatre is a professional theatre regularly giving performances for children, which includes the participation of children along with that of a professional company.

Amateurs’ theatre is a theatre in which the artistic company consists mostly of amateurs. It can either be independent or a constituent part of an association of cultural-artistic amateurism, home of culture, etc.

Scene is a separate space in a theatre or in another location where a professional company performs.

Professional orchestras/choirs are musical ensembles consisting of professional musicians/singers who may be employed either on a permanent or on a contractual basis.

LADO – National Folk Dance Ensemble of Croatia is a professional institution aimed at collecting authentic national folklore and performing artistic presentations of folk dances, music and songs.

Concert is a public performance that is a constituent part of the whole programme of an event, while performing during formal events and festivities includes participation only in a part of the whole program.

Published by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, Zagreb, Ilica 3, P. O. B. 80
Phone: (+385 1) 48 06 111
Press corner: press@dzs.hr

Persons responsible:
Dubravka Rogić Hadžalić, Director of Demographic and Social Statistics Directorate
Lidija Brković, Director General

Prepared by:
Marija Gojević and Gordana Bralić

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