performance

This page considers questions about audience measurement in relation to performance, ie live drama, music, theme parks and 'events'.

It covers -

• introduction
• the box office
• reviews
• forecasting
• demonstrations
• studies

     introduction

Measurement of audiences for performance has two functions. It has had an audit function (for example the number of patrons who paid to attend a play or visit the circus). It has also had a predictive function, with managers inferring that what kept the venue full this week is likely to keep it full next week or next year and that what failed to wow patrons should be avoided in future.

     studies

For crowds, marches and demonstrations see Clark Mcphail & John McCarthy's 2004 'Who counts and how: estimating the size of protests' in 3 Contexts 3 (12-18) and Joel Best's Damned Lies & Statistics: Untangling Numbers From The Media, Politicians & Activists (Berkeley: Uni of California Press 2001)

     next page  (film)