ABSTRACT
Production costs in the Theatre’s third season had risen to 100,000 roubles, nearly double those of the first. As a result, a decision was taken to renege on the idea of ‘accessibility’ and increase seat prices. If a full house recouped 950 roubles during the first season then, by the third, this had become 1,450 and, by the fourth, 1,550. Despite this, the Theatre faced financial crisis with losses of 52,500, plus a deficit from the previous season of 27,500. The situation was saved by one of the major shareholders, Savva Morozov, who stumped up the entire sum needed. None of the other shareholders was in a position to help, as their entire capital had been expended. At the end of the fourth season there was not even enough money in the kitty to pay for running expenses.
