Summary
Acquire or partner with Australia's longest running theatre entertainment company delivering interactive shows to venues throughout the nation - low cost, high margin seasonal and scalable business
Revenue
$9,849 pw
Rent
$0 pw
Expenses
$6,871 pw
Net Profit
$2,978 pw
Location Details
Metropolitan and regional Australia
Venues in Metropolitan and regional destinations in states and territories throughout Australia
Potential
"Dirty Dick's" Productions has strong brand reputation with decades of goodwill. Has transitioned from iconic fixed venue(s) operation to current mobile/touring format with minimal fixed overheads, operating on a high-margin model. Business can easily be re-established in a fixed location, with or without the touring component. Huge potential for re-creating a static landmark base regenerating unique themed entertainment & banquet events. Established catalogue of shows, scripts, music. Confirmed bookings with guaranteed payments into 2026
Skills
Ideal for operators in entertainment, events, hospitalty or arts management. Can be operated as an "entertainment only" element OR can be "housed" in an existing hospitality venue with operator additionally facilitating food & beverage.A hugely scalable business offering perfect synergy for event companies, theatre producers, hospitality groups, venues or entrepreneurial operators seeking a proven, ready-to-run entertainment product with a loyal following
Hours
Currently an average of 2 - 4 days per week on a seasonal basis
Lease
No lease - currently a mobile/touring format
Employees
4 - 5 Casuals engaged for each year's touring season
Reason for Sale
Genuine sale - owner has been involved for over 45 years. Wishing to ease "into retirement". Seeking a "good home" for a treasured scalable business with huge scope under new ownership or possible collaboration/partnership
About the Business
"Dirty Dick's" Theatre Restaurant and Productions has been operating successfully for over 50 years. It is reputedly the second longest running continuous* live entertainment globally ("The Mousetrap" 1952, "Dirty Dick's" 1970). Originally operated from fixed locations in all major capital cities entertaining and catering to thousands of patrons, before transitioning to a popular touring/mobile format delivering its interactive theatre shows to clubs, hotels, corporate events and community venues nationwide. The business creates fully scripted comedic stage shows with a Medieval/Elizabethan/Shakespearean/Old English style theme, all with songs and audience interaction segments. Shows and music are performed form a stage/staging area with performing activity also occuring amongst the audience, which are generally seated at long banquet style tables. The event is presented as a structured format wherein various courses of food are served in between three Acts of entertainment replicating an olden day banquet with costumed serving staff delivering food to patrons at appointed times. Clientele is tremendously loyal. After 55 years, business is now entertaining a third generation of clientele - made up of private parties, birthday and anniversary celebrations, corporate outings, farewells, visitors, Christmas parties in varying size groups from small to large. Business has great "mass market" appeal with strong loyal audience demographic, and represents good value for money delivering fun, entertainment, dining and beverages all in the one event. The business delivers a unique, original concept which has very little competition in its genre. Patrons have an interaction with the performance with clverly crafted participatory elements. It is not a "Tribute" show, it is not a TV recreation or a re-scripted copy. It is an original creation which has been privately owned and operated since inception, 55 years ago, to over 5 million people, Australasia wide.
History
Struck from an historical identity< Nathaniel Bentley, in 18th century England and from there evolved into a chain of theatre restaurants. As leases expired with landlords and changes in property usage, pending developments etc, and with growing demand for shows in regional and greater metropolitan regions, the business transformed into a touring company delivering shows to a more diverse audience and (re)introducing our popularity to regional and more remote areas of the country. Ready now for more touring, residency or a combination of both!
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