On the evening of Monday 16 October, the CST Board made the difficult decision to place the company into liquidation. As a result, the company has ceased to trade, with all employment contracts terminated.
2023 has been an incredibly difficult year for CST financially. The touring landscape changed dramatically following the COVID shutdown period, with sharp increases in freight and travel costs coupled with decreased engagement and available investment in the marketplace. While audiences were starting to return to see live performance with more confidence, this has been slower than anticipated and impacted further this year with ongoing economic pressures.
We understand the tremendous impact that this decision will have on you, along with all of CST’s stakeholders, friends, and family. The impact it will have on the independent theatre sector, and our amazing community partners, is heartbreaking beyond words.
Right now, our primary focus is to support our CST team in Sydney and Melbourne, our touring parties, and all of the artists and crew members who have been directly affected by this news in the short term.
If you are an existing client or stakeholder that needs assistance with accounts enquiries or to understand more about the liquidation process please contact Olivia Pejovski at JLA Advisory on 02 9231 0505 / olivia@JLAinsolvency.com.au
Everyone here at Critical Stages greatly appreciates your understanding and support during this challenging time.
For now, this is our final curtain call. To all of those who have been a part of our amazing legacy of independent story telling and live theatrical experiences, we send a heartfelt thank you.
We sincerely believe that from this devastating news there is hope, and that there is still a deep need for the work that CST does. We look to the future optimistic that a new kind of Critical Stages is yet possible.
Thank you,
Team CST