Rising energy costs are causing directors of theaters and concert halls a lotof headaches. For example, the bill of the Chassé Theater in Breda will risefrom 250,000 euros to one million euros after the turn of the year. If nosolution is found, the theater would even consider closing. “But that is alsothe extreme scenario,” says theater director Ruud van Meijel.
Ruud van Meijel and his employees hit the energy bill of one million euros rawon the roof. “We cannot absorb such an increase with normal operation of thetheater,” says Van Meijel. “We are currently exploring all the options outthere.”
There is a lot that needs to be done in that search. It varies from closing atheater to taking a critical look at the amount of lighting in the building.”We also think we are eligible for SME support from the government. Somethings are already leaking out. For example, the maximum compensation would be160,000 euros. That is a drop in the ocean, because then we still have a gapof 600,000 euros.” The theater is also discussing a solution with themunicipality.
“We will do everything we can to keep the theater open.”
Van Meijel realizes that the energy problem affects several places in society.”We are going to do everything we can to keep the theater open. How that willturn out? I don’t know. We have until the end of the year to find an adequatesolution,” it sounds positive.
Lower the temperature in the building by one degree? “The heating is not ourbiggest problem. We heat the building with a heat and cold storage. We cansmuggle a degree, but musicians can’t make music with frozen fingers.”
“If we switch on everything in three rooms, the meter will go crazy.”
The Chassé Theater is a major consumer of electricity. “If we switch oneverything in our three theater halls, the meter goes crazy. Theater lightingrequires a lot of power.”
The director does not want to think about a price increase for the tickets.”Everyone is currently dealing with rising prices. As a theater, we want toremain accessible to everyone. We have just not reached the visitor numbersbefore corona. But things are going better than expected. Especially in thisdifficult time, we as a theater have something to do. It would be a shame ifwe had to limit that because we can’t afford energy bills.”
Other theaters and concert halls in Brabant are also suffering from risingenergy costs. Theaters Tilburg, for example, has a joint contract with themunicipality and several schools. “We are now paying 250,000 euros. That willbe 375,000 euros next year and will rise to 500,000 euros in 2024. Compared to2019, our visitor numbers have fallen by a fifth,” says director Rob vanSteen.
The energy costs of the Verkade factory in Den Bosch take a big bite out ofthe budget. “In January we will increase from 100,000 to about 400,000 euros,”says director Jeffrey Meulman. “The stretch is gone, but fortunately we seethat the number of visitors is increasing again in recent weeks.”
“We also have to cool the halls in winter because of the warmth of> spectators.”
Also at pop stage 013 energy costs rise after the turn of the year.”Unfortunately yes. We are still lucky that the gas price is fixed until thebeginning of 2023,” says director Frens Frijns. “For electricity, we willincrease from 50,000 to 300,000 euros. We use more electricity than gas. Wehave to cool the halls by the warmth of the spectators, even in winter.” Thereis no question of closure. “Due to the many catch-up concerts, we are busierthan ever.”
Jochem Otten, director of the Speelhuis in Helmond, will spend four times asmuch for his gas and electricity next year. If he paid 60,000 euros in 2019,that will be around 240,000 euros in January. “Due to the decline inpurchasing power, we have less audience.”
The Theater aan de Parade in Den Bosch is currently being renovated. “That’sour luck. We had an energy bill of 180,000 euros. It would now have been aboutfive times higher. That would have been a real problem. The new theater willbe completely gasless,” says Alex Kühne.