Funding shortfall sees the Perth Theatre Company cancel the remainder of its 2015 season

A significant shortfall in corporate and sponsorship support has caused the Perth Theatre Company (PTC) to cancel the two remaining productions of its 2015 season.

The company said it would not continue with its December season of the John Steinbeck classic Of Mice and Men, as a result of “significantly lower than expected corporate and sponsorship support” and poor ticket sales.

After reviewing its operations, PTC will also cancel its October season of yourseven.

PTC Chairman Saliba Sassine said the difficult decision was made with sales and sponsorship well below set targets and the financial risk of going ahead far outweighing potential benefits.

Sassine stated "the board decided it was imperative not to risk the company, which will continue to operate.

“The challenge now is to not lose the vibrancy and energy that has been generated and to review strategic operations to allow Perth Theatre to continue as a sustainable theatre company.”

Chamber of Arts and Culture WA Chairman Warwick Hemsley said the axing of the two productions was a reminder of the increasingly tough economic climate many WA arts and culture organisations faced.

In a statement, Hemsley explained "arts organisations in Western Australia have benefited from corporate support over the past few years but we are now seeing businesses tightening their purse strings.

“The uncertainty many organisations are feeling at the moment is compounded by the prospect of reduced state and federal support.”

Hemsley said he feared that the reduced funding available to the small to medium sector of the local industry would see more companies facing similar decisions to PTC, adding "it is a great shame that Western Australian audiences have just lost the opportunity to see two great productions.

“This announcement is a reminder t that many arts organisations are leading a hand-to-mouth existence.”

Theatre-goers that have already purchased tickets to Of Mice and Men or yourseven will be fully refunded, with PTC directing customers to contact Ticketek.

The Of Mice and Men production had been due to bring Terminator Genisys star and WA Academy of Performing Arts graduate Jai Courtney back to Perth.

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